Inspire a Young Person into STEM
We are looking for amazing researchers and STEM professionals who can share their insights and expertise with students from disadvantaged backgrounds by hosting them for one or two week work experience placement in the summer.
Benefits of Getting Involved
Aside from the rewards of making a real difference for the young people you support, there are personal merits to be had by volunteering with In2scienceUK.
Hosting a student at your workplace provides evidence of public engagement and outreach. In2scienceUK can provide letters of support and endorsement for grant applications, departmental REFs, Athena SWAN applications, Annual Reports and Corporate Social Responsibility.
Learn new skills and develop your communication, mentoring and coaching skills by working with young people to diversify your CV and develop career-enhancing skills.
Many of our previous hosts tell us that by viewing their work from a different perspective, they are able to refresh their view and appreciate the importance and excitement of their profession.
Our programme enables you to give back to your local community during your regular working day. You may also get the chance to network with other colleagues who are also supporting students.
Meet our Hosts
It was refreshing to explain our work to from a different perspective, and very rewarding to see my student quickly picking up experimental techniques. I was reminded of how I decided to pursue my current career around that age, and it is reassuring to know that the future of our profession is in good hands!
JoshuaUCL Institute of Ophthalmology
I have volunteered as a STEM ambassador for the last 7 years but I found engaging with my In2science placement very fulfilling and rewarding. I think I was able to inspire my student to pursue a career in biomedical sciences and I have learnt that they have achieved conditional offers from London universities.
RinaReta Lila Weston Institute of Neurological Studies
A good look around most university campuses will show a flaring lack of diversity. A big part of this is a lack of belief in these communities that they can be successful, and a great way of changing this culture is to show them what it’s actually like.
JonathonImperial College London
Coming into a company like Abcam and seeing what working life in a lab or other department is like can really build confidence and make careers become realistic and achievable for them. We are very pleased that a former In2science student has joined our Protein Sciences Team.
SarahAbcam
It was great to remind myself of the luxury of having a job that allows you to stay curious. Showing my work to the next generation of researchers and seeing their excitement made me appreciate this luxury even more.
MaximilianUCL Chemical Engineering
The In2science initiative showed me how important it is to create a framework to engage young people from disadvantaged groups and to give them help and mentoring beyond academic knowledge.
BernadettUCL Institute of Neurology
“Coming from a similar background to our participants, it makes me feel very proud of the university. It shows that these young people can achieve anything they apply themselves to. I have found the experience truly rewarding, working with these young people, and seeing their confidence and passion ignite has been an incredible sight to witness.”
Dr Raymond Oppong – 2023 Host
Institute of Applied Health Research, University of Birmingham
Our Impact
We are an impact led organisation passionate about supporting young people to achieve their potential and pursue a STEM career.
Evaluations show that after the programme students are more likely to:
Feel that anyone can become a scientist or engineer
Know a wide range of STEM careers and pathways
Feel confident to write a high-quality personal statement
Help a young person realise their potential in STEM
Apply to become a host for our 2024 programme. The deadline for all applications is 28th January 2024.