Become a business partner
Our STEM Careers programme reaches over 1000 secondary school students every year. In order to do this, we rely on STEM-related employers in the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire region to support our programme and help us to inspire the next generation of scientists.
Would your company like to be involved with local schools? Would you like to raise the profile of your business locally? Inspire and inform young people about STEM careers and help to improve their employability skills? Our business partners (individuals and organisations) share their time and knowledge with young people (and quite often offices or laboratories too), to show them what a career in a STEM subject might look like, how a STEM business runs and to share their passion for research and discovery.
We are always looking to meet new people and businesses who might be interested in working with secondary schools in Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire. Science Oxford has an experienced team of science education professionals who can help you find the perfect match for your organisation.
Why work with us?
Working with Science Oxford’s STEM Careers Programme is rewarding and engaging, and can form a part of your corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy. It also gives your organisation the opportunity to play a part in informing and encouraging young people about their future choices and inspiring them about STEM careers.
Partnering with Science Oxford on our STEM Careers Programme gives local businesses and organisations a wide range of benefits by:
- Contributing to your company’s CSR strategy
- Helping address the shortfall of STEM-skilled workers coming through education and into employment in our region.
- Connecting your business or organisation with young people in your area and the local community.
- Providing professional development opportunities to your staff, such as developing communication or organisational skills.
- Raising the profile of your organisation locally and future employment opportunities to a new generation.
Read below about the activities we offer and how businesses and organisations can get involved, or download our brochure.
For more information, contact us at [email protected].
Our Programmes
STEM Skills Workshops
Our in-school Skills Workshops give young people an insight into the STEM industry, possible careers and life-based skills. These workshops have been developed in collaboration with local businesses and organisations, and subjects include critical thinking, CV writing, Excel skills, financial planning, interview skills, and diversity awareness.
Age group: 13–16
Programme times: 1–2 hour workshops, term time only
How you can help:
- Volunteer your time
- Volunteer your experience and skills
STEM Insight Weeks
Our STEM Insight Weeks take place during half-term breaks and are designed to give young people a mix of both practical experience and knowledge of a career in a STEM subject as well as broader skills as they progress through their education. These weeks are currently run in-person and online.
Age group: 14–16
Programme times: Mon–Fri October, February and May half terms
How you can help:
- Volunteer your time
- Provide your knowledge and experience for a talk, in person or online
- Host a group of 10 to 20 students for a half-day tour, activity, or experience within your business
- Sponsorship or donations
STEM Insight Days
A STEM Insight Day is a one-day immersive experience giving Year 8 to 10 students insight into the world of STEM careers.
Age group: 12–14
Programme times: 1 or 2 days over half-term breaks
How you can help:
- Volunteer your time
- Provide your knowledge and experience for a talk, in person or online
- Host a group of 10 to 20 students for a half-day tour, activity, or experience within your business.
- Sponsorship or donations
STEM Summer Experience
Similar to our STEM Insight weeks, our Summer Experience is for 16–18 year-olds looking to make choices about careers paths and higher education choices. Our experience weeks include STEM related careers advice, advice on higher education choices and practical skills for young adults.
Age group: 16–18
Programme times: Mon–Fri, over two weeks of summer holiday
How you can help:
- Volunteer your time
- Provide your knowledge and experience for a talk, in person or online
- Host a group of 10 to 20 students for a half-day tour, activity, or experience within your business
STEM Work Experience
Our STEM Work Experience placements are designed to give young people an in-depth view into the working world in a STEM setting. An experience of this kind is invaluable to this age group for those looking to make decisions about their employment and higher education paths.
Age group: 15–17
Programme times: Between 1–4 weeks in the summer holidays
How you can help:
- Host a student for a work experience placement at your company
Young Scientist of the Year
Every year in November we host an evening reception for young people in their final year of sixth form to recognise their hard work, enthusiasm, and dedication to their STEM subject of choice, as nominated by their teachers.
Age group: 16–18
Programme times: One evening in November
How you can help:
- Provide a speaker or compere for the event
- Sponsorship or donations
We would like to thank all the organisations and businesses that have supported our secondary school STEM Careers Programme:
Abbott Diabetes Care
Ansys
Ariens Co
Aston Martin Lagonda
Beard Construction
Biocleve
BMW UK; British Computer Society
Chiltern Rangers
Cochrane UK
DeltiAI
Department of Life Sciences, University of Bath
Department of Oncology, University of Oxford
Diamond Light Source
DJS Antibodies
Faraday Institution
GE Health
GKN
Green Biologics
Habitat Energy
Helio Display Materials
Human Centric DD
Institute of Biomedical Engineering
Intel
Low Carbon Hub
McAfee
Microbiology Department, University of Oxford
Micro:bit Foundation
Milestone Infra
Milner Centre for Evolution
MRC Harwell Institute
Network Rail
Olamalu
Oxford Computer Consultants
Oxford University Big Data
Oxford University Museum of Natural History
PicturaBio Ltd
Polar Technology
Prodrive
Roborace
Samsara Therapeutics
Sharp Life Science
Sir William Dunn School of Pathology
Skanska
Sophos
Specsavers Bicester
Spintex
STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory
Thames Water
UKAEA
University of Oxford Begbroke Science Park
Vertex
Viridor Ardley ERF
It’s very interesting and gives a wider understanding of different careers within the STEM industry.
Secondary student, STEM Careers Programme