OVERVIEW

SETPOINT Hertfordshire, now trading as STEMPOINT is an educational charity (Charity Number 1094254) and a company limited by guarantee based in Stevenage.  Our aim is to inspire young people about Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and we do this by providing young people with exciting experiences and introducing them to people who will increase their understanding and encourage them to consider career options within STEM.  Everything we achieve is in partnership with others; STEMPOINT has been working with local schools and organisations for more than 35 years. 

We work with both primary and secondary schools in Hertfordshire and are the STEM Ambassador Hub for the East of England, which includes ~3000 STEM Ambassadors who volunteer their time to support teachers and students.  We are also the regional co-ordinator for Nuffield Research Placements in London and the East of England, placing around two hundred Year 12 students per year with scientists, technologists and engineers in local companies and organisations. 

STEMPOINT has a very successful history of providing workshops to both primary and secondary schools and long association with many of the leading STEM institutions.  We also work with Local Enterprise Partnerships, the Careers & Enterprise Company to offer schools ways to meet the Gatsby Benchmarks by introducing them to inspirational role models from the world of work.

Our extensive network of industry contacts, along with our track record of activities, make us a trusted partner for schools and teachers. Our activities work in a complementary and integrated way to build on STEM awareness in schools. 

Teachers:  To find out more about our work and to request support, contact [email protected]

Business: To offer your support and to find out how to get involved with our work, contact [email protected]

NUFFIELD RESEARCH PLACEMENT SCHEME

We are the regional co-ordinators for the Nuffield Research Placement scheme across Hertfordshire, London and the East of England.

The scheme’s purpose is to introduce young people currently in Year 12 at school or college to the possibilities of a career in STEM research, and is particularly aimed at students from disadvantaged backgrounds, such as those with a low household income. Placements also support students to develop essential and transferable skills such as problem-solving, analysis, confidence, self-efficacy, communication, and time and resource management.

Nuffield Research Placements are engaging, hands-on research projects*, where students have the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution towards the work of a host organisation. They are a fantastic opportunity for students to apply skills and knowledge learned at school and work alongside researchers and industry professionals to:

• Develop subject understanding alongside research and quantitative skills to expand career prospects.
• Enhance UCAS personal statements and applications to university. An independent evaluation has shown Nuffield Research Placements increase access to university courses in STEM subjects.
• Learn more about higher education and different career paths.

*The programme has been developed in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the need to move to an online model of the Nuffield Research Placement programme during summer 2021. The new approach connects existing, fundamental elements of the Nuffield Research Placement programme, such as developing essential STEM skills through collaboration with experts on a live research question, with new and exciting ways of working, for example having assignments and tasks set within a virtual learning environment (VLE). What continues to be of utmost importance, however, is that students who take part complete a meaningful and rewarding research project experience to expand their future possibilities and host organisations support students making a significant contribution to their work.

Students, parents & teachers:  See https://www.stem.org.uk/nuffield-research-placements for details of when to apply

Companies & organisations:  If you feel you may be able to offer a research project, please contact [email protected]