Students gain real insights into studying STEM at university

Across the summer term, sixth formers participated in the I’m a Scientist Sixth Form STEM Chats Programme. They connected with people who’ve studied, or teach, STEM subjects to explore what it’s really like to study science at university.

Weekly, 3-hour drop-in Chats each focused on a popular university subject. Students explored courses and career paths that interest them, and got personalised responses from people with first-hand experience. Across 7 Chats, between May and July:

  • Over 50 students joined in, 15 of which attended more than one Chat
  • 19 schools took part, including whole classes from The King Aquinas and Brighton and Hove Sussex Sixth Form Colleges
    • In the Chemistry Chat, one student came back for more after their class’s lesson to hear from an extra 3 scientists
  • 63 different scientists joined Chats, with 7 taking part in more than one – shoutout to Gemma C who joined 4! 👏
  • 7 university courses were covered: Human Biology, Biochemistry, Environmental Science, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, and Genetics

“

 

[The students] realised they could tailor their questions to their own queries, and see decent, considered answers from real scientists. I truly believe that opened their minds and curiosity even more, and also really helped them firm up their interest in pursuing the sciences to degree level and beyond.

– Jason O’Grady, Teacher at Brighton Hove and Sussex Sixth Form College


Choosing what to study, and where

Students asked thoughtful questions comparing STEM courses, what they involve, and where they can lead. They got advice to help find the right subjects and courses for them.

Some conversations explored course flexibility and keeping your options open. In Biology and Chemistry Chats, students were curious about specialising into more niche fields. Issy and Lucy-Jo chatted about the places they’re considering studying:



Helping students prepare for next steps

A big focus was on strengthening university applications. Students were keen to find out about work experience, useful literature, and how to polish their personal statements. Sarah asked scientists in 2 different Chats for some extra reading and tips on how to show her interest:

Chat window with student messages in grey textboxes, scientist replies in blue textboxes. Conversation reads: SarahM: What are some things you'd recommend to read/watch for students interested in environmental sciences to gain a wider knowledge? Constance @SarahM: Silent Spring by Rachel Carson Constance @SarahM: One of the most important environmental science books of our time. Published in 1962 Eliza K Don't Even Think About It: Why Our Brains Are Wired to Ignore Climate Change by George Marshall SarahM @all Thank you
Chat window with student messages in grey textboxes, scientist replies in blue textboxes. Conversation reads: SarahM: How would you recommend/advice writing about taster sessions or lectures without it seeming like your regurgitating the information you have learnt in over detail, but still showing what you've learnt and it has peaked interest? michellehawkins @SarahM: you could talk about the books, films etc the taster session inspired you to read/watch. michellehawkins @SarahM: Or perhaps discuss how your perspective on an issue or concept was changed. emmabull @SarahM: A good point from Michelle! Or you could talk about further research, or how it made you feel / think differently katiegaffney @SarahM: Yes, don't regurgitate, michelles advice to talk about how it changed your perspective is great. Otherwise talk about why you enjoyed it, rather than what they said.

Many students, like Chloe, wanted to know about work experience. Faisal was reassured by a conversation with John CC about grades, partners schemes, and summer school:

Chat window with student messages in grey textboxes, scientist replies in blue textboxes. Conversation reads: Chloe D: What type of work experiences did you all do when you were applying for university? Im trying to find engineering based work experiences, but I can't find anywhere that does it. sineadeley @Chloe D: I had no work experience that was relevant to my degree, but still got offers - even applying for PhDs I only had one internship I had as an undergraduate Blair @Chloe D: I had no relevant work experience to get into my undergraduate degree. I don't think they really expect you to have any Rachel E @Chloe D: I also had no experience. I lived in a fairly rural place where there just weren't any jobs, and the work experience was always either factory, office, or infant school. aprilcridland The trick to work experience is to describe the skills that you've gained rather than focus on what the work actually is. So did you get to display teamwork or the ability to work independently. Chloe D Thank you :)
Chat window with student messages in grey textboxes, scientist replies in blue textboxes. Conversation reads: faisal @John CC: i am in year 12 and i will apply for their partner program in september i think thats when people can apply for the program i am really worried because my year 12 mocks grades was not good enough for dentistry and i think its might be over John CC @faisal: I applied for the partners programme for biomedical sciences, I did the summer school but didn't get BBB at the end of year 13. I went to Sunderland uni which was my insurance offer. And I really enjoyed Biomed at Sunderland, so there are other ways around getting into the course you want faisal @John CC: i might do bio medical as well then. do biomedical then do dentistry John CC @faisal: yeah you can do graduate dentistry from biomed faisal @John CC: when you did bio medical was it 3 years right ? John CC @faisal: Yep, my degree was 3 years at sunderland. you could do a sandwich year in the nhs or industry there too. I'm not sure about that for Newcastle faisal @John CC: thank you john you helped me alot today John CC @faisal: No problem at all, partners scheme was really exciting and gave me a great insight into how uni would be. So everything crossed for you!!


Looking ahead to real-world careers

Some students were keen to see the bigger picture. Lots of questions revolved around what follows graduation. They asked how university choices can shape future careers, and what helps you stand out, like placements or internships:

Chat window with student messages in grey textboxes, scientist replies in blue textboxes. Conversation reads: Lucy-JoW @gillianhunter: I was thinking of doing a course with a placement year, would you recommend that? gillianhunter @Lucy-JoW: Absolutely! In Scotland we do 4 year degrees, and in between year 3-4 l had option of doing a placement. WHich I did and I absolutely loved. I don't think I would have had the same career if I hadn't. Lucy-JoW @gillianhunter: Im assuming it would help me in the future when finding a job aswell? gillianhunter @Lucy-JoW: Yes, because you will gain practical experience doing it. You are also likely to gain contacts while you're there, people that can provide references for you. So yes, if you can go on a placement! Lucy-JoW @gillianhunter: Thank you i will definitly be doing placement if i can then! gillianhunter @Lucy-JoW: I hope you get the chance! Good luck!
Chat window with student messages in grey textboxes, scientist replies in blue textboxes. Conversation reads: IslaB @all what was the fieldwork courses like at uni, if you did any and which one was your favourite? rachaelegg @IslaB: I didn't have any fieldwork courses, but I did get a summer research position studying plant community composition (what plants grow together and how much of them) in the Rocky Mountains. Long hours, lots of fun Eliza K @IslaB: I went to Devon for 3 days (it was raining so badly haha), then to Spain for 2 weeks (I did geological mapping which was fun but super hot!), then spent 2 weeks in Cyprus doing measurements of the subsurface (e.g. sending electromagnetic waves to "see" what's beneath) and when I did my year abroad in the US, I went to Grand Canyon for 2 weeks. Grand Canyon was my favourite for sure IslaB @Eliza K wow they sound amazing! Eliza K @IslaB: I must admit that when I was choosing my undergrad I checked how many fieldtrips they offer. Cheeky but you gotta take the most out of the degree :D IslaB @Eliza K that was the main thing I looked for as well because so many of the courses looked similar to me,

Scientists shared authentic insights into day-to-day life in the STEM workplace. Some students wanted to know more about the scientists’ current work, what it involves, and how it relates to the subjects they’re interested in.

Chat window with student messages in grey textboxes, scientist replies in blue textboxes. Conversation reads: ImogenB @Laura How do you spend most of your time studying this topic? Laura @ImogenB: Do you mean in terms of Biochemistry in general? Or DNA sequencing more specifically? ImogenB @Laura: DNA sequencing specifically, like how do you do that, do you spend most of your time in a laboratory ect? Laura @ImogenB: I definitely spend majority of my time in the lab. DNA sequencing is constantly evolving, so when I'm not in the lab I do a lot of research to keep up with the latest advancements in the field Laura @ImogenB: I also get to go to a lot of conferences to learn about the latest DNA sequencing technologies and meet people who are using them ImogenB @Laura: That sounds very interesting, especially to be learning new things every day! Laura @ImogenB: It's one of my favourite things about my job! DNA sequencing is an exciting field to be working in at this moment in time
Chat window with student messages in grey textboxes, mod messages in yellow textboxes, scientist replies in blue textboxes. Conversation reads: Izak @Mod Hannah: I do Applied science, maths and psychology. Diana They can all work together nicely. I did chemistry, biology, maths and psychology :-) Mod Hannah @zak: A nice mix! What are you hoping to do after you finish school? Izak @Mod Hannah: Midwifery Mod Hannah @Izak: Genetics will be very important for this! Rebecca G @|zak: We work a lot with fetal medicine midwives to coordinate the care of pregnant ladies affected by or at risk of passing on a genetic condition Izak @Rebecca G: How does that work? Rebecca G @Izak: Sometimes when there is a known condition in a family, for example a heart condition for which we can start screening from birth, we can organise genetic testing of a baby using DNA taken from the blood in their umbilical cord!


Thank you to the scientists, students, and teachers who took part. No matter how often you dropped in, you helped make this programme of Chats a success! It’s been great to see students making the most of these opportunities to get real, personalised insights that aren’t covered in a prospectus.


Posted on July 18, 2025 by modjamie in Candidates, News, Teacher. Tagged , , , . Comments Off on Students gain real insights into studying STEM at university

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