I’m a Scientist works with several National Collaborative Outreach Programme (NCOP) partnerships to offer STEM engagement opportunities to students from their target areas.

In 2019, one partnership, the Kent and Medway Collaborative Outreach Programme (KaMCOP), funded places for 42 classes to take part in the I’m a Scientist and I’m an Engineer activities, offering these to their target schools.

Over the following months eight schools have given their students the opportunity to chat online with scientists, engineers and psychologists. I’m a Scientist offered KaMCOP schools a flexible programme of activity, where teachers chose when to participate depending on their schedules and to maximise benefits to their students.

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A brilliant way to bring science into the real world… since the activity, I have seen an increase in students thinking about careers within science.

Teacher, KaMCOP-funded participation

“The I’m a Scientist and I’m an Engineer activities have been an excellent way for us to raise aspirations, break down barriers around STEM subjects, and open up opportunities for students to engage with people working in these sectors which they might not otherwise have been able to do,” says Claire Parsons, Development Manager for KaMCOP.

“We hope that, by accessing these opportunities, students are inspired by the scientists and engineers they engage with. Then they might start to consider the full range of career opportunities and progression available to them, and be motivated to work hard so they might progress to higher education in the future.”

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An excellent way for us to raise aspirations, break down barriers around STEM subjects, and open up opportunities for students.

Claire, Development Manager, KaMCOP

Communication and collaboration
“Working with the I’m a Scientist team is an absolute pleasure,” says Claire. “They are attentive and flexible to the needs of our schools and students, and make the whole process easy for all involved.”

One teacher who took part with KaMCOP funding says the I’m a Scientist activity “is a brilliant way to bring science into the real world, as sometimes students feel that what they are required to learn in school is not going to be of any importance to them after they leave. Since the activity, I have seen an increase in students thinking about careers within science.”

I’m a Scientist can help you meet NCOP aims. Contact shane@imascientist.org.uk for more information.