About Us

Sussex STEM

Sussex STEM works in partnership with employers and schools to enthuse the next generation of scientists, technologists, engineers and mathematicians.

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Activities

Sussex Science Learning Partnerships

Sussex Science Learning Partnerships (SLPs) combine local expertise in teaching and learning in science, facilitating CPD, and providing school-to-school support in Sussex.

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Careers

The Big Bang UK Young Scientists & Engineers Competition

This is our biggest annual STEM competition. It recognises and rewards young people's achievements in all areas of STEM. Open to all 11-18-year olds in full-time education/training.

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Employers

Sponsor the South East's biggest STEM event of the year

We invite companies and businesses from the South East of England, regardless of size, to be involved and support this unique STEM event. Please contact us to discuss Sponsorship at this and other STEM events.

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STEM Ambassadors

Who are STEM Ambassadors?

Here's an example of STEM Ambassadors in action on two special engineering challenges in Sussex - the annual Antweight Challenge and SlotTruck Challenge. Read more in our news article.

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Contact Us

Nuffield Research Placements
4-6 week work placement for Year 12

Summer 2021 Placement Applications open in November

Nuffield Summer 2020 Celebration Event

Thank you to the students, research providers and teachers who attended the virtual Nuffield Future Researchers celebration event on 22 September.

At this virtual evening event, the Nuffield Placement team hosted a brilliant live YouTube stream for the 800 students who graduated from the Nuffield Future Researchers programme this summer. With inspiring key note speakers and live presentations from students and providers we were able to celebrate the work and achievements of the students from the Summer 2020 virtual placements.

Read more in our news post

What are Nuffield Research Placements?

Nuffield Research offer over 1,000 funded placements a year to sixth-form students who work alongside STEM professionals, gaining an insight into the world of scientific research and development, including areas of technology, engineering and maths.

Placements last between four and six weeks, in universities, industry or research institutions during the summer holidays.

It’s a national scheme, Sussex STEM are the regional coordinators for Sussex and Hampshire.

Why choose a Nuffield Research Placement?

These placements offer many benefits when compared to a regular work experience scheme:

      1. Students work on a specific project, which is well defined from the start.
      2. Projects make a genuine contribution to the work of the host organisation. The work students do will be valued and have a real impact.
      3. Students write a report and scientific poster as part of their placement, which can be put towards a Gold CREST Award, the only STEM scheme to be accredited by UCAS.
      4. Students write a project report and produce a scientific poster which are fantastic pieces to include in a portfolio.

To be eligible to apply for the scheme, students must:

Be in the first year of an Advanced or Higher, vocational or academic STEM course (Year 12).

Have 5 GCSEs at 6 or above, including Maths, English and a Science.

Be studying at a UK school or college.

Be available for four consecutive weeks during the school summer holiday period.

We make sure no-one is excluded on a financial basis by covering travel costs for all students, as long as the placement is within the same county as the school. We also offer an additional bursary to students receiving free school meals, with a total household income below £30,000, or living in local authority care.

When should students apply?

Applications will open in November 2020 for Summer 2021 Placements

After applications close, students will be selected by a panel for ‘provisional’ places and informed in Early/Mid April – placements will then be sought and allocated to students according to location and their main interests.

More information on the application dates and process can be found on the Nuffield Research Placements website.

For any queries or to register your interest, email us at sussexstem@canterbury.ac.uk

APPLY NOW

Placement Provider Information

Anyone working in a STEM role can offer a 4-6 week research or development project during the school summer holidays to a student who has just completed their first year in the sixth form.

There is no upfront cost to placement providers, time to supervise the student is all that is required.

What are the benefits?

Your organisation’s future recruitment– placements have a lasting impact on students’ education and career choices.

Teaching and mentoring skills – staff looking for management experience, as well as PhD students and post-doctoral researchers, find placements particularly useful.

Potential contributions to published papers and/or grant applications.

Get pilot projects off the ground.

Public engagement and corporate social responsibility.

Nuffield students need supervision and guidance, but they can make a significant contribution. They may be office, lab or field based placements, purely academic or in a development area such as engineering.

How do I get involved?

Apply now

If you’d like to find out more or register interest, please email sussexstem@canterbury.ac.uk

Sharing placementNuffield Celebration Event 2019
Nuffield Celebration Event 2019
Nuffield Celebration Event 2019

“ The three students who were awarded the Nuffield placements last year have all got offers for their universities…all 3 of them wrote a lot about their placements in their statements…All of these students benefited 100% from their experience on their placements. ”

Emma Parsons
Teacher, Ark William Parker Academy

“ I really enjoyed my Nuffield Placement. It was a great experience to be working alongside professional scientists, and although my project was challenging it didn't feel like work because I enjoyed it so much! ”

student
Brighton and Hove 6th Form College (BHASVIC)

CREST Awards

Use your Nuffield Research Placement project to achieve a Gold CREST Award. CREST Awards are a nationally recognised scheme run by the British Science Association. Students can use CREST to enhance UCAS personal statements. The link below takes you to their website, where you can apply, but do contact us with any queries.

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