We are really lucky in the North West to have the support of lots of great HEI and industry partners who give of their time and expertise to support the Research and Experience Placement programme by providing project placements during the summer, to enable Y12 students to gain an insight into the world of research or a specific industry sector.  If you think you might be interested in joining them, read on!

The Research and Experience Placement Programme (formerly known as Nuffield Placements) has been around for more than 25 years and is managed nationally by STEM Learning. You can discover full programme information on their website, including specific information for employers or HEI partners. In the North West, there is a strong network of involved schools, colleges and placement providers, supported by ourselves at All About STEM as the Regional Programme Coordinator.

Host organisations can offer either a Research Placement or an Experience Placement.

Research Placements are 2-week collaborations with a STEM-related knowledge expert on a live research question or area of development. While producing a scientific or technical report and poster, this opportunity ensures that students contribute meaningfully to the host organisation’s current work.

Experience Placements are 5-day explorations with industry experts to identify essential skills needed for employment in STEM sectors. While producing a workbook and reflective report, students gain insight into working in professional environments as well as knowledge of the challenges for different sectors, in turn preparing them for employment.

Following the online application process, successful students complete the 4 elements of the programme:

• The BeFutureReady course, which provides a series of self-paced online learning modules aimed at preparing them for their summer placement experience
• A summer placement with their host organisation
• A report and poster (Research Placement) or a Workbook and Reflective Log (Experience Placement)
• Celebration Event

All About STEM recruits students and matches them to the available project placements offered by host organisations. We do all the wrap around student support and programme management. We just need to recruit project placement providers to showcase their world to a young person, enabling them to get involved in their work for a week or two.

Placements are often life-changing experiences for students, opening their eyes to possibilities and imparting the confidence and self-belief to make these possibilities a reality.

If this is something you’d like to be a part of, get in touch for a chat. We’d love to hear from you!

Contact Helen McCann, North West Regional Coordinator: [email protected]