Meet scientists!
Sparking STEM is delighted to be able to offer opportunities for home-educated children to meet real scientists and ask them questions about their work.
Who are the scientists?
When, where and who?
Which scientists will we meet?
What age is it suitable for?
How do I sign up and how does it work?
Your certificate of participation
What does it cost?
What if we need to cancel?
Do you record sessions?
When, where and who?
Which scientists will we meet?
What age is it suitable for?
How do I sign up and how does it work?
Your certificate of participation
What does it cost?
What if we need to cancel?
Do you record sessions?
Who are the scientists?
The scientists you'll meet are mostly Postgraduate Researchers carrying out research in a wide range of fields. In the past we've had researchers from a range of UK Universities as well as those working for the Natural History Museum, British Antarctic Survey and British Geological Survey. They work in a broad range of fields such as Ecological sciences, Geographical sciences, Palaeo Oceanography, Biological sciences, Environmental Sciences, Geochemistry, Electrical engineering, Mathematical sciences, Life Sciences, Chemistry, Mechanical engineering, Psychology and more. We've had researchers who investigate Martian polar vortices, gravitational waves, penguin adaptations to climate change, volcano deformation... and so much more! One of the great benefits of joining these sessions is seeing children broaden their awareness of the many diverse applications of a career in science, and the diversity of the people that work in science.
Most of the scientists are attending our Effective Outreach with Children training course, as they are keen to develop their skills in communicating their science to children. Occasionally, opportunities arise for one-off events or discussion panels with individual scientists who have attended our course previously.
Back to top
The scientists you'll meet are mostly Postgraduate Researchers carrying out research in a wide range of fields. In the past we've had researchers from a range of UK Universities as well as those working for the Natural History Museum, British Antarctic Survey and British Geological Survey. They work in a broad range of fields such as Ecological sciences, Geographical sciences, Palaeo Oceanography, Biological sciences, Environmental Sciences, Geochemistry, Electrical engineering, Mathematical sciences, Life Sciences, Chemistry, Mechanical engineering, Psychology and more. We've had researchers who investigate Martian polar vortices, gravitational waves, penguin adaptations to climate change, volcano deformation... and so much more! One of the great benefits of joining these sessions is seeing children broaden their awareness of the many diverse applications of a career in science, and the diversity of the people that work in science.
Most of the scientists are attending our Effective Outreach with Children training course, as they are keen to develop their skills in communicating their science to children. Occasionally, opportunities arise for one-off events or discussion panels with individual scientists who have attended our course previously.
Back to top
When, where and who?
Most opportunities are online so you can join from anywhere.
Occasionally opportunities arise for "in-person" interactions at the University of Sheffield, UK.
Please note that children attending in person sessions must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
Back to top
Upcoming opportunities:
The 2022 / 2023 round of events has now come to a close, but you can sign up to be notified of future opportunities by completing this quick "sign me up" form.
Most opportunities are online so you can join from anywhere.
Occasionally opportunities arise for "in-person" interactions at the University of Sheffield, UK.
Please note that children attending in person sessions must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
Back to top
Upcoming opportunities:
The 2022 / 2023 round of events has now come to a close, but you can sign up to be notified of future opportunities by completing this quick "sign me up" form.
Which scientists will we meet?
Approximately two weeks before each event you will be notified of the scientists (there will be up to twelve in each event) who will be attending your session. You'll be given a short description of their field of research so that your child can prepare a question or two for their chosen scientist(s) if they would like to.
Back to top
Approximately two weeks before each event you will be notified of the scientists (there will be up to twelve in each event) who will be attending your session. You'll be given a short description of their field of research so that your child can prepare a question or two for their chosen scientist(s) if they would like to.
Back to top
What age is it suitable for?
Children of all ages from five and over are welcome. Sparking STEM will invite children from a range of ages for each session.
Back to top
Children of all ages from five and over are welcome. Sparking STEM will invite children from a range of ages for each session.
Back to top
How do I sign up?
Please complete this form to let us know you are interested (or click on any "Sign me up" button).
You'll be notified of new events as they arise and invited to register for specific events.
Can I attend more than one session?
Yes absolutely! You're welcome to attend as many times as you wish.
Can I sign up more than one sibling?
Yes absolutely! When asked to register for specific events you'll be asked to give the names and ages of the children you would like to attend.
What do you do with my data?
We'll need your email address to notify you of new opportunities to meet scientists. Any data you provide will be stored securely and will not be shared. You can ask for your data to be removed from our records at any time.
(Please see the privacy policy, your details won't be shared).
Back to top
Please complete this form to let us know you are interested (or click on any "Sign me up" button).
You'll be notified of new events as they arise and invited to register for specific events.
Can I attend more than one session?
Yes absolutely! You're welcome to attend as many times as you wish.
Can I sign up more than one sibling?
Yes absolutely! When asked to register for specific events you'll be asked to give the names and ages of the children you would like to attend.
What do you do with my data?
We'll need your email address to notify you of new opportunities to meet scientists. Any data you provide will be stored securely and will not be shared. You can ask for your data to be removed from our records at any time.
(Please see the privacy policy, your details won't be shared).
Back to top
Your certificate of participation
Every child who attends a session will receive a personalised certificate (PDF) of participation by email after the event. This is a great addition to a home-education journal or for use in job / college applications.
Back to top
Every child who attends a session will receive a personalised certificate (PDF) of participation by email after the event. This is a great addition to a home-education journal or for use in job / college applications.
Back to top
How much does it cost?
Most of these opportunities are free of charge. (See "Upcoming opportunities") for details of individual events)
There may be a small fee to cover administration for occasional one-off events with individual scientists.
Places are limited, so please only sign up if you have every intention of attending.
We know that sometimes life throws things at you last minute (in which case please just let us know which as much notice as possible so we can offer the place to someone else), but please bear in mind that if you simply don't turn up you will have deprived someone else of the opportunity to attend.
For this reason, if you fail to attend without letting us know you may be less likely to be selected for future "Meet Scientist" events.
Back to top
Most of these opportunities are free of charge. (See "Upcoming opportunities") for details of individual events)
There may be a small fee to cover administration for occasional one-off events with individual scientists.
Places are limited, so please only sign up if you have every intention of attending.
We know that sometimes life throws things at you last minute (in which case please just let us know which as much notice as possible so we can offer the place to someone else), but please bear in mind that if you simply don't turn up you will have deprived someone else of the opportunity to attend.
For this reason, if you fail to attend without letting us know you may be less likely to be selected for future "Meet Scientist" events.
Back to top
What if we need to cancel?
Please let us know with as much notice as possible if you have registered for a session but find you are then unable to attend. This will allow us to reallocate your place. If possible we'll do our best to offer you another opportunity when one is available.
Please note that if you fail to attend without letting us know you may be less likely to be selected for future "Meet Scientist" events.
Back to top
Please let us know with as much notice as possible if you have registered for a session but find you are then unable to attend. This will allow us to reallocate your place. If possible we'll do our best to offer you another opportunity when one is available.
Please note that if you fail to attend without letting us know you may be less likely to be selected for future "Meet Scientist" events.
Back to top
Do you record sessions?
Most sessions (online and in person) will be recorded and used for training, but these recordings will only be viewed by Sparking STEM staff and the scientists during and immediately after the event. All recordings will be deleted within three days of the event and will not be shared with anyone.
Only when express consent has been granted for individual children (at registration), will their images / video captures from the sessions be used for promotional and training purposes, including use on the internet and social media.
Back to top
Most sessions (online and in person) will be recorded and used for training, but these recordings will only be viewed by Sparking STEM staff and the scientists during and immediately after the event. All recordings will be deleted within three days of the event and will not be shared with anyone.
Only when express consent has been granted for individual children (at registration), will their images / video captures from the sessions be used for promotional and training purposes, including use on the internet and social media.
Back to top
