The BRC has released a film about the in2science scheme which provides lab placements for ‘A’ level students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The film, screened for the first time last night, was co-produced by students who had taken part in the scheme working with a professional filmmaker. The students chose to focus on the difference the programme made to them – by giving them the skills and confidence to apply for STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) degrees at top universities and pursue research careers. Students said they wanted teachers and school children to know about the scheme so more people would apply.
Students and film directors at the screening
Click here to watch the film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgdFmRUWcSs
In2ScienceUK matches up students who are either on free school meals or whose parents do not have a degree with researchers from STEM fields for 2-week placements and skills and career workshops.
The scheme has a remarkable track record of success: 83% of students who take part in the scheme go on to university, with 54% going onto a top university.
The BRC was a founding funder of the programme, which started in 2010, and now funds 50 placements every year at UCL.
Dr Ros Yu, the BRC’s Head of Patient and Public Involvement and Research Communications, said: “We are delighted to launch this wonderful film and we congratulate the students’ director Ieva Padagaite who put so much time and commitment into making it. It’s a powerful testimony to the impact the scheme can have and we hope it will help the scheme to reach more students.”
Dr Nick McNally, managing director of research at UCLH, said: “We’re proud to support the In2Science scheme which is doing so much to open up research careers.”
In2Science has so far operated in London and the South East of England, but with funding secured from the charity NESTA over the summer, it is now set for rapid expansion over the next 3 years across the UK, giving many more students the opportunity to take part.
Students who are interested in taking part in the summer of 2019, and researchers who are able to offer placements to students, are asked to visit http://in2scienceuk.org/.
