BRC offers placements to underprivileged 'A' level students

The UCLH/UCL BRC is supporting a summer school of laboratory and research group placements for promising 'A' level students from underprivileged backgrounds.

The centre is now looking for UCL/UCLH researchers to take part.

This is a great opportunity for you or someone else in your lab to make a difference, engage with the public and take part in exciting outreach work.

By offering gifted 'A' level students from low-income backgrounds the chance to work alongside scientists, the aim is to inspire and motivate them and to support them in their application to competitive research universities.

Placements are for two weeks. You and the student would be fully supported, the student would have their expenses paid and the paperwork, including health and safety documentation, would all be done for you. The scheme would organise all the necessary inductions, access cards and insurance for students.

If you are interested in providing a placement

Please contact Rebecca McKelvey on r.mckelvey@in2scienceuk.org

About the scheme

The BRC is delighted to be working with UCL PhD student Rebecca McKelvey to offer this BRC summer school. We are building on the massive success Rebecca had last year in placing 30 students throughout London institutions. This year, as part of the summer school, the BRC will be hosting a skills day for the students to give them an insight into university applications, interviews and courses.

Feedback from researchers who took part last year is that it was an enriching experience for everyone and many of them are planning to take part again. You can read more about the organisation in2scienceUK which Rebecca set up at http://in2scienceuk.org

FAQs

When are the placements and how long do they last?
Placements are for a period of 2 weeks during the school summer holiday. A day usually starts at 10am and finishes at 4pm.

Does the student need an individual project?
This is advised but not essential. Students may also support you with your on-going project.

If the student has down time in the lab and there are no experiments to complete, what should they do?
The student will have been given a number of tasks to complete during the placement. For example, students will write a summary on a journal article. Students will also need to submit a brief report on their placement. This usually includes the techniques they have learnt and any results they may have.

How are the students chosen?
Students are all interviewed before the placement and are gifted in science, have a record of high academic achievement, have received free school meals in year 11, and have no parental experience of higher education.

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