SATRO Impact Report 2019

STEM Research
Work Placements
SATRO organise research placements for students aged
16+ to undertake a genuine STEM based research project,
working within an employer or academic research
environment. The placements in 2019 took place for four
weeks during the Summer, enabling students to work
alongside qualified professionals and experts. The success
of this programme and high quality of resultant projects,
serves to inspire and support students to continue with
their academic achievements and career aspirations.
This year’s Research Placement Programme was particularly successful
with 39 gifted and innovative students applying for the placements
(41% female). Our placement providers selected many ‘active’ projects
including:- environmental/highways engineering, engineering bias
for the Oil and Gas industries, Cardiovascular Medicine / Pathology,
Geographic Information Systems, Flexible and printed electronics –
nanotechnology and electronic circuits.
Aimed at providing equal opportunities for all those that applied by
encouraging an openness to social mobility and gender equality, the
level of academic attainment for both genders was extremely high.
Following interview and assessment 11 first year A level students
were allocated a research project. Each had a real passion to own
their projects and to develop their own case study reports. The
programme focusses on the importance of improving each student’s
capacity and work-efficiency, as well as providing motivation for further
development.
The programme specifically supports less advantaged students to
thrive and grow through a selective process and the professional work
environment. We work each year to improve the preparation we do
with students and research placement providers to ‘level the playing
field’ at interview for all, and we provide bursary support to those that
need it.
WORK
PLACEMENTS:
11
BURSARIES:
3
“Over the last six or seven years
I have hosted close to 30 summer
placement students. Summer
is usually not a busy period
at University and it’s a great
opportunity to try out incipient
ideas which otherwise would be
postponed indefinitely. Placements
are the ideal self-contained vehicle
for this type of trials, some of
which are highly successful and
go on to be published in academic
journals. Some advance scheduling
of holidays is required, but it’s very
much worth the effort, considering
that in the process, talented young
researchers get to experience a
real-world research environment.
It is a very effective way to do
exploratory research while training
and enthusing the next generation.
The students’ optimism, energy
and enthusiasm is refreshing
and contributes to the playful
atmosphere that is characteristic to
my team.”
Dr Radu Sporea, University
of Surrey (Work Placement
Provider)
“Overall, my work experience at
WSP was insightful for me as I was
able to learn about the professional
life of engineering consultants.
Moreover, I got to work on an
interesting and meaningful research
project which showed me how
valuable STEM is to society and the
world.”
STEM Work Placement Student
2019
“The past four weeks have been
incredibly useful, helping me make
my choices for higher education,
and boosting my confidence. I
would 100% recommend a SATRO
placement for anybody interested
in a science related degree!”
– STEM Work Placement
Student 2019
11