💬 Sixth Form STEM Chats

Students can explore university options in new Sixth Form STEM Chats.

They are informal sessions where students can drop in at any time to connect with scientists and explore future study.

These facilitated Chats allow students to engage in real-time conversation and debate. It’s for students looking to refine their university choices.

This term, for Year 12, the programme of Chats will focus on future study options.



Who’s involved?

  • Students: Sixth-formers from across the UK join from school or home.
  • Scientists: Subject experts join for themed discussions.
  • Teachers: Encourage students to attend and share login details. You’re welcome to join the Chat if you wish.
  • Moderators: Ensure the Chats run smoothly.

Find out how you can get involved:



📆 Schedule

Sixth Form STEM Chats will run every Thursday, from 12pm to 3pm.

Chat schedule:



🎓 Teachers – Share the student registration link

Students need an account to access the Chat. If they already have an account, they can use that. If they don’t, get registration link for them:

  1. Make sure you’re logged in with your teacher account
  2. Head to: imascientist.org.uk/create-class
  3. Look for the premade class called ‘Sixth Form STEM Chats’ 
  4. Give your students the ‘Invite new students’ link
  5. Share the ‘Invite new students’ link via the pre-made presentation slides

Download the pre-made presentation slides ❯

Or view and download as a PDF ❯



🙋 Students – join the Chat

You need an account to access the Chat. If you already have one, you can use that. If you don’t, ask your teacher to share an ‘Invite new students’ link with you.

Once you have an account:

  1. Log in at imascientist.org.uk
  2. At the top of the page, click the ‘Chat’ button


🔎 Scientists – join the Chat

These Chats take place on the same text-based platform you’re familiar with. As usual, you’ll see them on the live Chat page when they’re running.

You’ll receive invites on your Dashboard titled ‘Sixth Form STEM Chat: [subject]’. Each Chat will be split into three 1-hour slots. Accept the time slots you plan to attend, to let us know you’ll be there.

Join in as your schedule allows – even if you’re just keeping the Chat window open in the background while you work.



Thursday 22 May: Human Biology

Students from Trowbridge, Heathfield, and Walsall Wood connected with Gemma, Kip, Erin, Alex and Emma across the 3 hour drop-in Chat session.

Conversations centered around:

  • University location and course choices
  • Keeping your options open
  • Routes to PhDs
  • Studying areas that you dislike to reach an end goal
  • Science literature (and podcasts!)
  • Moving around for further study
Chat window with student messages in grey textboxes, scientist replies in blue textboxes. Conversation reads: Jasmine G @Gemma C: Would you recommend the university or the course (or both!)? Mod Errol @Jasmine G: Excellent question! Gemma C @Jasmine G: I would recommend taking a broader Biology course if you are interested in a lot of aspects of biology. I studied things like plant biology and genetics alongside animal behaviour which all just felt like learning a bunch of fun stuff Gemma C @Jasmine G: I had my heart set on Nottingham when I visited because I loved the campus. Some unis are not campus based and spread out which I didn't like as much, so that is one thing to consider Gemma C @Jasmine G: As for recommending De Montfort (DMU), science research is a smaller focus for this uni but the faculty are incredible. I have had a lot of opportunities that I would not have had elsewhere.
Chat window with student messages in grey textboxes, scientist replies in blue textboxes. Conversation reads: Jasmine G @Mod Hannah: I'm unsure what I want to do so l'm trying to keep my options open at the moment Gemma C @Jasmine G: Doing a subject that is more broad at uni is a good way to do this. When I was looking, I like Bio and Psychology and found that some unis do natural science courses where you take a mix of subjects Jasmine G @Gemma C: I am currently doing Biology, Chemistry and Psychology so I do have a lot of options available Gemma C @Jasmine G: Same subjects that I took! :)
Chat window with student messages in grey textboxes, scientist replies in blue textboxes. Conversation reads: SamC @Gemma C: that sounds amazing and a very interesting topic to study. What uni course focuses on that. Gemma C @SamC: So before my PhD, I just did a biology course, but some courses that encompass a lot of these elements are Biochemistry, Biomedical Science (more lab skills based) and then some unis offer immunology as a course too. Gemma C @SamC: But if you go down the more general biology course route like I did, there are lots of options to select modules that focus on immunology and disease - just check the module guide on the course info pages


Thursday 5 June: Biochemistry

29 students (plus 2 teachers) from 12 schools joined a range of scientists who have recently completed or teach a biochemistry course. The conversation flowed across the 3 hours – so much so that the Chat was extended for an extra 15 minutes. See a few of our favourite moments below.

Scientists included:



Thursday 12 June: Environmental Science

The Chat saw students from Runshaw College, Bacon’s College, Rednock College and Westminster City School drop-in to the Chat and ask the questions that interested them. Conversations revolved around:

  • The difference between environmental science related degree courses
  • Where studying an environmental science degree could take you
  • Job types and security
  • University alternatives
  • Helpful literature for studying environmental study
  • Work experience and internship opportunities
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. 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
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
Chat window with student messages in grey textboxes, scientist replies in blue textboxes. Conversation reads: izzy: Right ok so did you do any extra work experience or anything else to help get into the jobs? Constance @izzy: I did quite a few internships during my uni days (including during master's and phd). Eliza K: I did an internship at an insurance company, and summer projects at the university. During my PhD I did an internship at a weather company and spent 3 months at the Met Office izzy: Ah ok so internships are a good way to get into the environmental industry Eliza K @izzy: absolutely! no one expects you to have experience prior to an internship so passion here will be the key. Internships are exactly a way to get in

Henry, Rachael, Constance, Jayne, Eliza, Victoria, Dimple, Alison, and Divyareshmi supported the students with their personalised responses.



Thursday 19 June: Biology

Students joined in from John Wallis CofE Academy, Bexhill College, Rednock Academy, Aldersley High School, Westminster City School, Exeter College, and The Frances Bardsley Academy.

They got answers from scientists including Gillian, Jamie, John, Gemma, Alex, Adriana, Jenny, Katie, Emma, Michelle, and Caroline.

Students got insights into questions like:

  • How can I increase my chances of getting accepted onto a course?
  • What kind of skills in biology can I include in my personal statement?
  • How did you decide what to specialise in?
  • How was the university experience?
  • What jobs can you apply for directly after uni if you study biology?
  • Did you join any societies and have they helped with your career?


Thursday 26 June: Physics

Students and teachers from 6 different schools logged in to this week’s Sixth Form STEM Chat. Scientists Vicky, April, Sinead, Ryan, Joel, Blair, Rachel, Yessenia, Greg, Chloe, and Robert took part to discuss studying physics at higher education.

A teacher from Christ The King Aquinas Sixth Form College joined in with a whole class of Year 12 students.

One student held a conversation with multiple scientists for over an hour. They discussed physics-related courses like engineering, work experience, lectures, university accommodation, and more!

Screenshot from a live Chat, with student messages in grey text boxes and scientist messages in blue text boxes. Conversation thread reads: Chloe D: Did any of you do a placement year included in your degree? If so, would you recommend it? Blair @Chloe D: I didn't do a placement year but I was lucky to be selected for a summer placement at Fermilab (a smaller version of CERN) near Chicago for 10 weeks and it was a great experience and led me to the career I am in now Joel @Chloe D: I didn't do a placement year, but I do recommend thinking about it seriously. An industrial placement gives great experience and has a lot of financial benefit (no fees, earning a salary) Rachel E @Chloe D: I didn't, but some of my students have done. The reaction was mixed - one got a great placement and loved it, while the other had an awful time. I did paid summer research work instead which, like Blair, got me into a PhD. Vicky F @Chloe D: I did an undergraduate summer research project which I highly recommend! It showed me that I really enjoyed research and one of the main reasons I'm a researcher now :) You also get paid!


Thursday 3 July: Chemistry

Students joined from 4 different schools this week. They got personalised answers and advice on studying chemistry further, from Sophie, Alana, Andrew, Martin, Abi, Julie, Arlene, Emma, Rachael, Hannah, Rachel, and Nicole.

Students and scientists chatted about lab work and workplace safety, different levels of degrees, specialising in subjects like medicinal chemistry or chemical physics, gender balance on chemistry courses, and more.

A teacher at Brighton Hove and Sussex Sixth Form College joined with his A-Level class. They got “some really rich conversations started about uni plans and course choices“. One student came back for more after the class’s lesson had ended – they got more answers from some of the people they’d talked to earlier on, and heard from 3 more scientists too.

Chat window with scientist profile photos, student messages in grey textboxes, and scientist replies in blue textboxes. Conversation reads: Archie @all: What are you all working on at the moment? rachaeldickman @ArchieJ: Designing new drugs for treating infections, and for treating neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's. Very early stage so far though, even if they work they won't be getting to patients for years! Archie @rachaeldickman: that's so interesting do you have a phd rachaeldickman @ArchieJ: Yes I do, in chemistry! Archie @rachaeldickman: what did you specifically do your PhD on rachaeldickman @ArchieJ: It was on an antimicrobial called nisin. It's naturally produced by a bacteria that grows in milk, and is super interesting because it has amazing activity against bad bacteria. I worked on it's synthesis and studying its structure hannahf @ArchieJ: Hi! I work within a team of chemists and biologists to design, make and test molecules to help treat dementia. Part of the challenge is designing drugs to get into your brain, as your body is designed to control this really tightly! Archie @hannahf: where do you work hannahf @ArchieJ: I work within the University of Cambridge, as part of a drug discovery unit in neurodegenerative diseases Archie @hannahf: did you do your degree at Cambridge hannahf @ArchieJ: no! I studied Chemistry and Medicinal Chemistry at York, did a Chemistry PhD at Southampton. I enjoy living in Cambridge but I never applied to university here (or Oxford)


Thursday 10 July: Genetics

Students from Trinity Sixth Form and Preston Manor dropped in to the Chat and connected with Gemma, Diana, Debbie, Larissa, Sophie, Rebecca, Amy, Luke, Adriana, Michelle, Lisa, and Jamie.

Conversation involved:

  • Genetics and AI
  • Work-life balance
  • Routes to study medical law
  • Links between genetics and midwifery
Chat window with student messages in grey textboxes, scientist replies in blue textboxes. Conversation reads: Izak @Mod Hannah: I do Applied science, maths and psychology. Mod Hannah @Izak: 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 @Izak: 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! So we talk to the patients about this option and give them all the information they need to make the decision of whether they want to have their baby tested
Chat window with student messages in grey textboxes, scientist replies in blue textboxes. Conversation reads: charmie: yes, a law degree but im gonna specialise in medical law. i wanna delve into the science and ethics behind gene editing Amy @charmie: That is fascinating. There is some really interesting research in the UK on how people feel about gene editing, especially around children. Gemma C @charmie: When I was at uni we had a module called science and society where we focussed a lot on ethics of science, it was very cool
Chat window with student messages in grey textboxes, scientist replies in blue textboxes. Conversation reads: AidanW @Amy: What sort of things do you have to do on a daily basis as a statistician? your job is quite interesting and unique Amy @AidanW: I would say my job is about 30% thinking about science and models, 30% coding and data cleaning, 30% admin - e.g. emails and meetings and 10% writing up papers. Amy @AidanW: But this is because I work with a team who know I hate writing papers, so I do more of the coding and less of the writing.