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Secondary School Programme

Science Oxford’s STEM Careers Programme is designed to inspire secondary school students, ages 11 – 18, about careers in STEM.

Through first-hand experiences and interactive activities, students will:

  • Develop skills while engaging with real-world research and technology development;
  • Meet scientists and STEM professionals from local businesses to learn about different career paths;
  • Gain valuable insight into the many routes into STEM careers;
  • Be empowered to make positive and informed choices about their future.

Launching over 2025/2026, our new programme will expose students to careers centred around our four themes: Climate, Digital, Engineering and Global Health. Collaborating with STEM-sector employers throughout Oxfordshire, young people will be able to experience real-world challenges, hands-on activities, and inspiring insights into future careers across science, technology, engineering, and maths.

For queries about the STEM Careers Programme, please get in touch with STEM Careers Lead Ronnie Guthrie at [email protected].

If you would like to stay up to date with news about our STEM Careers Programme, subscribe to our newsletter.

Upcoming events

STEM Insight Days

February half-term 2026

Our STEM Insight Days aim to inspire Year 10 and 11 students about STEM careers.

 

Key details:

For Years 10 and 11

Dates: 16th, 17th and 18th February; 9:30am – 4pm daily (students are required to attend all days)

Venue: Science Oxford Centre, Headington, OX3 8SB, with trips to external businesses in Oxfordshire

Free to attend | Limited places

Apply by 18th January 2026

 

Do you want to find out what it’s really like to work in STEM?

Over three action-packed days, you’ll:

  • Go behind the scenes at leading STEM companies in Oxfordshire, including:
    • Abbott Diabetes Care – Discover how Abbot’s leading medical devices and scientific research has improved the lives of those that are diagnosed with diabetes
    • Vertex’s Learning Lab – Find out more about biotech in the pharmaceutical industry and global health innovation
    • Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) – Learn how scientists at STFC’s Rutherford Appleton Laboratory work on some of science’s biggest questions, ranging from particle physics, laser development and space technology
  • Hear first-hand from experts from STEM businesses and research institutions. Ask them anything! Discover diverse roles and interesting career journeys.
  • Take part in hands-on workshops with STEM businesses, develop skills and experience real research
  • Meet other students, like you, who are interested in science and tech.

Who is it for?

Whether you’ve found your passion and have ideas of what you’d like to do in the future, or you’re still looking, this event is for you. We’re looking for students who are:

  • Passionate about STEM subjects.
  • Considering STEM for further study or a career
  • Looking for more insight into local STEM industries
  • Motivated, committed and ready to dive in!

How to apply

  • You must be in Year 10 or 11, or of equivalent age if home educated
  • You must either live or attend school in Oxfordshire or Buckinghamshire
  • You must be studying three STEM subjects at GCSE level (Mathematics, Computer Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Design and Technology)
  • You must be able to attend all three days in full

 Apply now

What happens next?

Applications will be reviewed by Science Oxford’s STEM Careers Lead and Head of Education. Priority will be given to students from groups under-represented in STEM (such as those from lower socio-economic backgrounds, ethnic minority groups and girls) who attend state schools in the East of Oxford area.

All attendees are expected to follow  The Oxford Trust Behaviour Policy.

You’ll hear whether you have a place by Friday 23rd January by email.

For any questions relating to the Science Oxford STEM Insight Days please contact [email protected]

It really opened my eyes to the wide range of career options available. I really enjoyed the STEM careers carousel, as it showed me different types of engineering jobs in construction that I didn’t know about before.

Student, on STEM Insight Days