We’ve finally done it. In2STEM is over for another year. Even though we haven’t started our evaluation yet, we’ve been hearing great things from our students about their hosts. You may have seen a few of these shared on social media, but if not, we’re going to tell you more about these specific individuals and what made their placement stand out for our students.
Week 1
The very first host of the week was Mairéad Brown from Lancaster University.
“Mairéad has delivered my week perfectly! Mairéád has given all of us her exceptional enthusiasm for the future, what we can do to protect it as well as enthusiasm for our lives. This keen interest in all of us as individuals and our futures has inspired us in ways that go vastly beyond our work experience. Mairéad has shared stories from her journey that have ignited a passion for stewardship and the plethora of routes we can take that follow our individual interests whilst building a greener future. This is something that I previously had a totally different perception of but through her clear compassion for her job and people, from social inequalities to climate change, I have fled from my now apparent narrow-minded point of view and realised the potential I have in a STEM career that could truly change the world. Mairéád deserves to be host of the week as she has perfectly delivered the In2STEM experience and honestly changed the trajectory of my life!”
Week 2
The second host of the week was Dr. Alex Watson from the Statistical Science Department at UCL.
“I feel like Alex deserves to be Host of the Week for the way introduced this programme in a friendly way and helped my fellow placement members get closer with each other in a short period of time”
“Alex deserves to be crowned Host of the Week because he is truly passionate about what he does and teaches and thinks of different innovative ways to teach us which are interactive and spark interest. Alex is also caring and very welcoming and has definitely helped me to learn many different skills that I thought I would not be able to do before.”
“I feel Alex should be crowned as Host of the Week for his friendly introduction to In2Stem and his ability to teach effectively about Maths & Economics.”
Week 3
The third host of the week was Dr. Cyril Closset at the University of Birmingham.
“Dr. Cyril Closset has opened my eyes to the world beyond our everyday lives with his knowledge of theoretical physics. He led our group discussions on topics we were all interested in, specifically space. We explored particle physics, cosmology, eventually delving into special relativity and exploring new concepts that we would never have encountered in our A-Level subjects.
“Dr. Cyril should be recognised as Host of the Week because of his ability to simplify and communicate complex concepts in theoretical physics, making topics like particle physics, cosmology, and string theory not only accessible but engaging.”
“His lectures are sprinkled with small, amusing anecdotes that not only make us laugh but also keep us thoroughly engrossed. Time flies during his sessions, and his passion for the subject is contagious. Beyond his own field, he has introduced me something I haven’t learn in aerodynamics, sparking a newfound curiosity and enthusiasm for the subject.”
Week 4
The fourth and final host of the week was Dr. Alessandra Grillo from UCL’s Renal Department.
“During my internship, Dr. Grillo was incredibly supportive and friendly, making the entire experience both enriching and enjoyable. She encouraged questions and exploration of different areas of interest. She shared photos of her research and taught us how to use lab equipment, which greatly enhanced my understanding. Beyond that, she helped refine my CV, offered valuable feedback, and arranged for her colleagues to share their experiences and insights with us. Her dedication made this internship unforgettable and highly educational, leaving a lasting impact on my academic and professional development.”