The BRC is supporting a summer school of laboratory placements for promising ‘A’ level students from underprivileged backgrounds. The centre is now looking for researchers from UCLH/UCL and students to take part.
By offering gifted A-level students from low-income backgrounds the chance to work alongside scientists, the aim is to inspire and motivate them and to support them in their application to competitive research universities.
Placements on the BRC summer school will be for two weeks. Both researchers and students will be fully supported. Students have their travel and lunch expenses paid.
The scheme is designed so that supervisors are asked to complete the minimal amount of paper work. All health and safety documentation, necessary inductions, access cards and insurance for students will be organised in advance.
The BRC is delighted to be working with UCL PhD student Rebecca McKelvey to offer this BRC summer school. We are building on the massive success Rebecca has had in the last four years placing 150 students across London institutions.
Feedback from researchers who took part in previous years is that it was an enriching experience for everyone and many of them are planning to take part again.
Students are all interviewed before the placement and are gifted in science, have a record of high academic achievement, have received free school meals in year 11, and have no parental experience of higher education.
If you are interested in taking part in the BRC summer school
If you are a UCLH/UCL researcher interested in providing a placement or if you are an interested ‘A’ level student and believe you would be eligible, please contact Angela Barrett a.barrett@in2scienceuk.org
You can read more about the organisation in2scienceUK which Rebecca set up at http://in2scienceuk.org
Researchers’ FAQs
When are the placements and how long do they last?
Placements occur for a period of 2 weeks during the students summer holiday (any time between the 14 July-29 August). A day usually starts at 10am and finishes at 4pm.
Does the student need an individual project?
This is advised but not essential. Students may also support you with your on-going project. Students are able to observe animal studies.
If the student has down time in the lab and there are no experiments to complete, what should they do?
The student will have a number of reading and writing tasks to complete during the placement. Students will write a summary on a journal article, and they will also need to submit a brief report on their placement. This usually includes the techniques they learn, and any results they may have.
How do students afford to get to their placement?
Students receive £100 for the two weeks at placement to pay for their travel and lunch. Students also receive a copy of ‘New Scientist’.
