Bronze Virtual Routes Into STEM
Discover STEM careers and how to get there
The Routes into STEM Virtual course allows studentsYr9 & 10 and S3 & S4 to recognise the variety of opportunities available to them after taking their GCSEs or Nat 5 and Highers, it will provide them access to key information on different pathways including STEM education, STEM careers and apprenticeships. Diverse live interactive sessions will take place during school holidays. Students will be able to listen and ask questions to a variety of STEM professionals and student ambassadors. Students will also choose from a range of exciting projects, developed by our University and Industry partners, to work on during the course.
Who is it for?
- Students in Year 9 or 10 or S3 or S4 who are interested in exploring a career in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths)
- All you need is an interest in STEM, curiosity about the future and openness to all academic abilities
What is involved?
- Approximately 20 hours of study virtually
- Hear from current and previous students about what studying STEM at college and university is like
- Hear from admission teams about what universities are looking for and how your application can stand out
- Find out about apprenticeships, including degree apprenticeships
- Hear from current apprentices about what it is like to study and work in STEM
- Hear from previous apprentices about their journey and what they have took from their apprenticeship into their STEM career
- Hear from hiring managers what they look for in applications and interviews
- In our interactive live sessions, you will get the chance to ask questions of a variety of STEM professionals from those who have just been through the early careers process as apprentices, interns and graduates to those who have an established STEM careers and what their journey has been. There will also be the chance to ask questions to university admissions teams about the application process and university life
- Take part in interactive live workshops including a chance to build a model bridge with a civil engineer, watch a live chemistry experiment and listen into the making of a podcast
- Explore current themes in STEM through a choice of workshops set by leading STEM organisations including the electric revolution and net zero, the future of technology, design and the built environment, transport and flight, future energy and more
When is it?
- The course will run over 4 weeks (4th– 25th April 2025) with live sessions during the Easter break (14th– 17th April 2025) giving you the flexibility to complete the course at your pace whilst developing your independent study and time management skills
What do you get out of it?
- A chance to find out about different Routes into STEM careers from industry experts, college and university leaders as well as young people who are currently on that path
- Engage in projects and activities that will enhance your problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity and innovation skills as well as inspiring you to find career motivation
- Projects include: a Biopharm challenge from GSK ,a Design challenge from Balfour Beatty, a Royal Society of Chemistry challenge and many more exciting challenges in all aspects of STEM
- A chance to create your own personalised action plan to see your own Route into STEM
- You will learn about your career skills and how you could write about this in your CV/ Personal Statement and/or Application form
- Once completed you will receive an Industrial Cadets Bronze Award showing all that you have achieved on the course
- 100% of students on the 2023/24course felt they had increased their skills and knowledge at the end of the course
- 100% rated the course as good or excellent
- 98% felt confident in their career’s choices at the end of the course compared to 68% before
Quotes from students on the2023/24 course:
"I truly believe that by completing this course I now have a greater awareness of the different STEM careers that are available to me. I think the main reason for this is due to the different projects which require you to look at STEM opportunities in the local area. This course has really invigorated my passion for STEM, and I can't wait to see where this will take me.”
“It's shown me the vast opportunities that an individual has to choose from in order to make it into the STEM field. It's not as closed-off or as exclusive as I expected.”
“Overall, these experiences significantly enriched my STEM education by combining interactive learning with professional guidance.”
“I was a bit on the fence before doing the course but now thanks to the workshops it has shown me a STEM career is the path I would like to go down.”
Cost
Total cost for this programme is £80
Bursaries
Bursaries are available to those students who may not otherwise be able to apply. Please indicate on your application form if you are interested in a Bursary