FAQs

Welcome to In2STEM FAQs. Here, you can discover answers to frequently asked questions about the In2STEM programme and your involvement as a participant. Our goal is to provide clear information and support your In2STEM journey.

Overview

What does the In2STEM programme include?


The In2STEM programme is a free summer programme consisting of an in-person work experience placement, live online workshops, and competitions. By taking part in the programme, you will gain hands-on experience working with leading scientists, researchers and professionals. The programme will help you expand and develop your personal and professional skills.

It includes:

  • A one or two week in-person work experience placement hosted by a STEM professional
  • Live online skills, careers and employability workshops
  • Public engagement competitions
  • Student induction and celebration events
  • Access to our Alumni Community and interactive In2careers platform


For more information, head to our programme page

When are the placements and other activities taking place? 


All of our programme placements and activities will take place between Monday 22 July and Friday 23 August 2024. The in-person placements, live online workshops, and competitions will be scheduled at specific times throughout this five-week period. If you are participating in In2STEM Online, activities will also take place between Monday 22 July and Friday 23 August 2024.

You will also be invited to a Student Induction event, between the end of June and early July and a Celebration Event in September or October. 

Is the programme happening in-person or online? 


The In2STEM programme is a hybrid programme which involves face-to-face and online learning. Your work experience placement will be held in-person, within commuting distance of where you live. The live workshops and competitions will take place online. 

The Student Inductions and Celebration Events will be held both in-person and virtually. If you are attending an in-person event, this will be within commuting distance of where you live.

For students living in areas where placements are not accessible, we are offering In2STEM Online, providing opportunities regardless of where you live.

Who is eligible to apply?


Our core eligibility criteria require that you must

  • Be currently attending a non-fee paying and non-selective state-maintained school
  • Be 16 years old or over and a current Year 12 (S5/S6/college in Scotland) student or equivalent
  • Be studying at least one STEM related A-Level (or Scottish Higher/Advanced Higher), BTEC or equivalent
  • Be available to take part in the majority of the programme during the summer (Monday 22 July – Friday 23 August 2024).


You must also meet our location and additional criteria. To read the full eligibility criteria, head to our Eligibility page

How do I apply?


Step 1: Complete the application form.
Complete the online application form found on our Apply webpage, letting us know why you want to take part in the programme, your 2024 summer availability and your STEM subjects of interest. The final deadline for all applications is 3 March 2024 and we encourage students to apply as early as possible. 

Step 2: Provide a reference.
You will be asked to provide a teacher reference as part of your application. Once your application is submitted, we will email your teacher to ask them to complete the reference. Please provide a correct email address for your teacher and let them know to expect an email from us. 

Step 3: If you have been successful – congratulations!
We aim to send out all placement matches via email by the end of May 2024. You should then follow the instructions in the email to confirm your place on the programme. 

Once you have confirmed your place, you will be invited to a student induction event between the end of June and early July. More information about specific times and locations will be sent out as closer to the time.

Will the placement cost me anything?


No, our programme is free. We also offer all of our students a bursary to cover their costs, including travel and lunch, during their time on the placement and to attend events.

Will I receive a certificate after completing the programme?


Yes; All students who actively take part in the In2STEM programme will receive a certificate of participation, in recognition of their achievements from engaging in all aspects of the programme.

This is a great opportunity to be formally acknowledged for your efforts and will be great for your personal statement and CV.

Programme Details

What do the in-person placements involve?


You will be offered a one or two week in-person work experience placement with STEM professionals, academics or researchers, who work in an area of STEM that you are interested in. The placement will allow you to gain practical insight into the STEM sector and equip you with the knowledge and confidence to progress to a degree, apprenticeship, or a STEM career. 

Placements vary based on your area of interest and the expertise field and workplace of your host(s). As we match students and hosts based on availability, location and subject, we cannot always guarantee a perfect match for all students, but we strive to offer placements as close to your area of interest as possible.  

What type of placements are available?


In2scienceUK gives our students the opportunity to get hands-on experience within a huge variety of placements at cutting edge STEM industries and world-leading universities. 

The placements and opportunities differ each year and are based on student interests – past students have taken part in placements working in areas such as; Medicine, Biomedical Engineering, Psychology, Psychiatry, Engineering, Astronomy, Computer-Aided Design, Fluid Motion Simulation, Rheumatology, Virology, Chemical Engineering, Civil and Construction Engineering, Museology, Neurosciences, Applied Maths & Statistics, Mechanical Engineering, User Interface and User Experience Design, Programming, Experimental Psychology, Martian Geochemistry, Zoology, Computer Sciences, Ecology and many more.

What are the workshops and how do I take part?


By taking part in the live online workshops, you will receive guidance on university admissions and apprenticeships. You will also have the opportunity to attend panel discussions, sharing information about careers in STEM in a variety of different areas. The workshops will also support you to develop important skills such as CV writing and interview technique.

The workshops will take place throughout the summer (22 July – 23 August 2024). We will give you further information on these, and the sign-up process, as they are scheduled.

What are the competitions and how do I take part?


Our competitions with photo, illustration and writing categories will allow you to showcase your creativity and communicate what you have learnt during your time on the In2STEM programme! We also run a ‘Host of the Week’ competition in which students can nominate their placement host to become the In2STEM weekly ‘Host of the Week’. 

Competitions will open sometime between Monday 22 July and Friday 23 August 2024 and all details of how to submit a competition entry will be available on our website.

What happens at the Student Inductions? 


The Student Inductions will be half-day (in-person) or 90-minute (online) events filled with different activities where you can meet your fellow cohort, In2STEM team, and ask questions about the programme. Induction sessions will also include useful tips about STEM careers, university and apprenticeship applications. 

Inductions will take place between the end of June and early July, before the start of the In2STEM programme.

What are the Celebration Events?

After a busy and exciting summer programme, we can’t say goodbye without getting together and celebrating your achievements! You will have the opportunity to share your experiences on the programme, hear inspirational talks from students and hosts, connect with STEM professionals, and learn more about how In2scienceUK can support you in the future. 

The Celebration Events will take place either online or in-person, in early autumn. 

Getting in Touch

Can you deliver presentations about the In2STEM programme to schools?


Yes!

If your school or class is interested in receiving a virtual presentation about In2STEM, direct your teacher(s) to our Schools page, where they can request a talk from one of our Programme Officers or download resources to deliver a presentation themselves.

Who do I get in touch with if I have further questions?


If you have any questions about the In2STEM programme, the application process or about your specific circumstances, please contact us at [email protected].

Still have questions?

Get in touch with us at [email protected]

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