Help unlock the potential of Year 12 STEM school students with a Summer Research Project?
SATRO, the STEM skills charity based in the Surrey Technology Centre, is calling for companies on the Park to inspire and support year 12 school students in Surrey by participating in this year's summer Research Work Placements (RWP) programme.
SATRO is keen to build on the success of last summer's programme, which saw 90 placements with organisations such as Microsoft, University of Surrey, Legal & General and Air Products, to name a few.
If you have a small research topic that you feel post-16, Year 12 students could support your company with, then SATRO wants to hear from you.
According to SATRO, businesses that supported previous summer projects reported that they benefited from the scheme by having younger people -- who are the future workforce -- work alongside existing colleagues, helping to challenge perceptions of future recruitment focus.
How it works
Projects take around three weeks over the summer from early July until 21st August.
The programme can be flexible to fit around other commitments (such as school, study and work). It can also be part-time over as much of that period as is needed and participating businesses will have control over the dates for these meetings.
Benefits to participants
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Help with teamwork, leadership and other skills in your organisation.
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Help expand a young person's knowledge of a particular area, improve their skills and have a great start in taking the first steps towards university study or the world of work.
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Give you the opportunity to enhance a young person’s life as you volunteer your time to support the wider community.
What SATRO asks of participants
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Provide a title for a research project to the students.
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Guide, advise and help a student during the summer while they work on your project.
As a minimum SATRO asks:
- A welcome meeting, arrange at least three interim sessions with the student, review their work and attend the final presentation event.
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Provide written feedback to the students.
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Offer the students the opportunity of a site visit to your place of work if possible.
Programme Details
Our Approach: SATRO says it has found that a flexible approach works well with virtual work placements increasing the opportunities to more secondary school students and reducing any barriers.
How it works: The students will work with you virtually to prepare a research project based on a topic of interest. These projects will be presented in the form of a report, video, poster, Power Point or combination. The students will present back to you at the end of the programme.
SATRO also offers relevant and useful guidance videos, a mock virtual interview and interim support during their project . In addition, SATRO will set up the welcome meeting, introduce the students and attend the final presentations.
Who you will be helping - more about the Yr 12 Students
Research Work Placements are open to all Yr12 students in Surrey who show an enthusiasm and interest in the STEM based subjects as well as related areas such as design, computing, geography, architecture and the environment. This year, they would like to offer as many places as possible.
The students are all coming to the end of their first year of A level, BTEC or equivalent study and have had limited opportunity of work experience due to the legacy of the pandemic and new working patterns. This research placement will give the students the opportunity to enhance their university applications and CVs as well as an amazing insight into the world of work!
Financial Support
The programme is proving popular with students and the charity wants to keep it free for them.
Like all charities, SATRO faces fundraising challenges and so to help them continue to provide the incredible opportunity for Surrey's yr12s, this year they are asking companies to make a donation of £500 towards the cost of running the scheme.
More information
To discover more, download the SATRO brochures or for other questions, please contact Jessica Richardson or call: jessica.richardson@satro.org.uk (01483 688070)
