Introducing In2STEM
Calling passionate researchers and STEM professionals! Engage in a meaningful opportunity by hosting students from low socioeconomic backgrounds for one or two-week work experience placements during the Summer of 2026.
In2STEM is a fantastic opportunity for Year 12 or S5/6 students passionate about STEM. Whether you work as a researcher, PhD student, technician or a STEM professional, as a volunteer with the In2STEM programme, you will play a crucial role in providing students with exciting in-person STEM experiences. Collaborate closely with our team to create engaging placements, enabling students to explore STEM beyond the classroom, develop essential skills, and enhance their future applications. Your involvement will make a lasting impact on our participants and the future of STEM.
For more information, view our Volunteer Summary.
Applications for 2026 are now closed.
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.
Volunteer Information Sessions
All Volunteer Information Sessions for the 2026 programme have now been delivered.
In2STEM Volunteer Timeline
Volunteer applications open.
Volunteer online information sessions take place, providing additional details about your volunteering role and the In2STEM programme with the chance to ask questions.
Volunteer applications close.
You will receive a notification informing you whether or not we have successfully matched you with a student/s on the programme.
You will be invited to an online induction session providing tips and guidance on planning and delivering your In2STEM work placement. You will also be asked to complete mandatory paperwork prior to your placement.
The In2STEM programme begins, and your work placement will occur during a mutually agreed upon period between 20 July and 21 August 2026. During this period, a staff member may visit you to ensure that the placement is progressing smoothly and gather feedback.
You’ll receive an invitation to join our celebratory event, along with students and supporters, to celebrate the conclusion of the In2STEM programme with our fantastic young people you have helped support.
Hear from our hosts: top tips for hosting a placement
Meet our hosts
I think it’s good to give the next generation these opportunities because it’s such a good field to work in. I wish stuff like this was around when I was younger! They’ve helped in insectary learning with the mosquitoes and they’ve got really involved in other departments – we wanted them to see everything and not just what we do here because they might see something they never thought they’d be interested in that could change their career path down the line. I think it’s important to show there’s not one set path to go down to get into science.
JennieLiverpool School of Tropical Medicine
It was great to see the satisfaction of students when they completed technical projects or won awards in competitions that were organised during the week. The whole team enjoyed hosting this event for sure. It would be great to do it again on a larger scale with more recruited students to maximise the benefit.
SaraBirmingham City University
It’s very rewarding – we can make a big difference in students’ lives. It might just be spending time with them for one week for us but it can make a big difference to them.
It’s been rewarding for me and for the organisation, it’s a valuable experience.
[Outreach is] something I’ve always enjoyed and a passion that I keep pushing forward, so it’s nice to find these opportunities. It’s been a fun time to be actively doing outreach, I do enjoy it and I get a lot of reward out of running these sorts of things. It’s been a good experience for me developing lower-level explanation skills on the communication side of things as well as planning and organising. I’d definitely recommend it.
BenImperial College London
We’ve had students that have come through the In2STEM programme and then gone on to come here as undergrads…And, of course, [being involved with the In2STEM programme] it’s hoping that the demographic shifts. They’re always lovely students, bright and polite. It’s a credit to them because they’re where they are despite the system, not because of it.
NickUniversity College London Physics and Astronomy