Scientist
in the
Spotlight
Free, online events for home-educated children
Meet scientists and researchers working in
Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths
Meet scientists and researchers working in
Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths
These free, online events run on an approximately monthly basis, specifically for home-educated children of ages 5+.
We invite a different scientist / STEM researcher each time to give a short, interactive presentation about their work followed by time for questions and answers with the children.
Children will discover a wide range of STEM fields, broadening their aspirations, gaining insight into the life and work of STEM research professionals, and hopefully sparking a long-term interest in STEM!
We invite a different scientist / STEM researcher each time to give a short, interactive presentation about their work followed by time for questions and answers with the children.
Children will discover a wide range of STEM fields, broadening their aspirations, gaining insight into the life and work of STEM research professionals, and hopefully sparking a long-term interest in STEM!
What's coming up? Book a place
Who are the scientists?
When and where?
How does it work?
Other opportunities for home-educators
What age is it suitable for?
What does it cost?
Can I book more than one session?
Can I book more than one sibling?
How can you support my child's needs?
What if we need to cancel?
Do you / can we record sessions?
What do you do with my data?
Who are the scientists?
When and where?
How does it work?
Other opportunities for home-educators
What age is it suitable for?
What does it cost?
Can I book more than one session?
Can I book more than one sibling?
How can you support my child's needs?
What if we need to cancel?
Do you / can we record sessions?
What do you do with my data?
Coming up next...
Join
Olamide Babatunde
Aston University, Department of Biotechnology
to find out more cell membrane research
Olamide Babatunde
Aston University, Department of Biotechnology
to find out more cell membrane research
When
Thursday 16th April 2026
Time: 11.15am to 12 noon (GMT, Online via Zoom link)
Olamide Babatunde is a PhD researcher at Aston University, he is researching the structure and uses of cell membranes:
Our bodies are made of tiny building blocks called cells. Each cell has a thin skin around it called a membrane. This membrane works like a security door: it lets good things in, like food and oxygen, and keeps bad things out, like germs and poisons. It also stops important things from leaking away. In my talk, I’ll show how this “door” works, why it’s so important for staying alive and healthy, and how scientists study it using simple experiments and cool images.
Thursday 16th April 2026
Time: 11.15am to 12 noon (GMT, Online via Zoom link)
Olamide Babatunde is a PhD researcher at Aston University, he is researching the structure and uses of cell membranes:
Our bodies are made of tiny building blocks called cells. Each cell has a thin skin around it called a membrane. This membrane works like a security door: it lets good things in, like food and oxygen, and keeps bad things out, like germs and poisons. It also stops important things from leaking away. In my talk, I’ll show how this “door” works, why it’s so important for staying alive and healthy, and how scientists study it using simple experiments and cool images.
Who is this suitable for?
As a guide, this session is best suited for children aged approximately 10 to 14.
You know your child best however, so if you feel they would be comfortable at this level please feel free to sign them up.
How does it work?
Your children are welcome to prepare questions for Olamide in advance if they wish to which they can ask by chat or voice, or to bring things they wish to show him. They can have cameras on or off, they can interact or watch. The session may be recorded but they won't show in the recording.
Olamide will give a presentation about her work (approx. 20 minutes) followed by 20-25 minutes for questions.
Amanda Childs and / or Lucy Handford (Sparking STEM's Outreach Coordinator) will facilitate the session and do everything possible to ensure all children have opportunities to ask questions.
How do I join?
Book your place with the button below, you'll need to complete a quick registration form.
We will then email you with joining instructions approximately 1 week before the event.
Please check your spam folder then email us if you have not received confirmation 6 days before the event, thank you.
There is no charge but places are limited so please only book if you fully intent to attend, so that you're not depriving others of a place.
FAQ
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As a guide, this session is best suited for children aged approximately 10 to 14.
You know your child best however, so if you feel they would be comfortable at this level please feel free to sign them up.
How does it work?
Your children are welcome to prepare questions for Olamide in advance if they wish to which they can ask by chat or voice, or to bring things they wish to show him. They can have cameras on or off, they can interact or watch. The session may be recorded but they won't show in the recording.
Olamide will give a presentation about her work (approx. 20 minutes) followed by 20-25 minutes for questions.
Amanda Childs and / or Lucy Handford (Sparking STEM's Outreach Coordinator) will facilitate the session and do everything possible to ensure all children have opportunities to ask questions.
How do I join?
Book your place with the button below, you'll need to complete a quick registration form.
We will then email you with joining instructions approximately 1 week before the event.
Please check your spam folder then email us if you have not received confirmation 6 days before the event, thank you.
There is no charge but places are limited so please only book if you fully intent to attend, so that you're not depriving others of a place.
FAQ
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What does it cost?
These events are free of charge as we want to help as many home-educated children as possible to see the possible pathways that STEM may take them, and meet a diverse range of STEM role models.
Places are limited, so we ask you to please only book a place if you have every intention of attending, so that you're not depriving others of the opportunity.
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These events are free of charge as we want to help as many home-educated children as possible to see the possible pathways that STEM may take them, and meet a diverse range of STEM role models.
Places are limited, so we ask you to please only book a place if you have every intention of attending, so that you're not depriving others of the opportunity.
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Who are the scientists?
The scientists you'll meet are mostly Postgraduate Researchers carrying out research in a wide range of fields from a range of UK Universities and research organisations. You can see the details of the scientist in each event here.
Your children are welcome to prepare questions in advance if they wish, or to bring things they wish to share.
Amanda Childs will facilitate the session and do everything possible to ensure all children have opportunities to ask questions if they wish to.
Back to top
The scientists you'll meet are mostly Postgraduate Researchers carrying out research in a wide range of fields from a range of UK Universities and research organisations. You can see the details of the scientist in each event here.
Your children are welcome to prepare questions in advance if they wish, or to bring things they wish to share.
Amanda Childs will facilitate the session and do everything possible to ensure all children have opportunities to ask questions if they wish to.
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When and where?
Scientist In The Spotlight events are online on Zoom, so you can join from anywhere.
All you need is an internet connection (and microphone if you would like to contribute verbally)
The dates and times of each event are given in the Booking details of each event.
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Scientist In The Spotlight events are online on Zoom, so you can join from anywhere.
All you need is an internet connection (and microphone if you would like to contribute verbally)
The dates and times of each event are given in the Booking details of each event.
Back to top
How does it work?
You can book a place here.
You'll need to complete a quick registration form.
We will then email you with joining instructions approximately 1 week before the event.
Please check your spam folder then email us if you have not received confirmation 6 days before the event, thank you.
Back to top
You can book a place here.
You'll need to complete a quick registration form.
We will then email you with joining instructions approximately 1 week before the event.
Please check your spam folder then email us if you have not received confirmation 6 days before the event, thank you.
Back to top
Who is it suitable for?
Some sessions will be more suitable to certain ages / levels than others.
These sessions are for home-educated children only (we run school specific sessions separately).
As numerical age can be pretty meaningless, we have given a wide suggested age range in the details of each event.
You know your child best so please select sessions with age ranges that you think would best suit your child and their level of interest.
Everything we do is about making opportunities accessible to all children here, find out how this could work for your child here.
Siblings are welcome to attend from the same screen if you think they will benefit
Please complete one booking per screen and include the first name and age of each child in the notes.
Back to top
Some sessions will be more suitable to certain ages / levels than others.
These sessions are for home-educated children only (we run school specific sessions separately).
As numerical age can be pretty meaningless, we have given a wide suggested age range in the details of each event.
You know your child best so please select sessions with age ranges that you think would best suit your child and their level of interest.
Everything we do is about making opportunities accessible to all children here, find out how this could work for your child here.
Siblings are welcome to attend from the same screen if you think they will benefit
Please complete one booking per screen and include the first name and age of each child in the notes.
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Can I book more than one session?
Yes absolutely! You're welcome to attend as many times as you wish.
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Yes absolutely! You're welcome to attend as many times as you wish.
Back to top
Can I book more than one sibling?
Yes absolutely! Siblings are welcome to attend from the same screen if you think they will benefit.
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Yes absolutely! Siblings are welcome to attend from the same screen if you think they will benefit.
Back to top
How can you support my child's needs?
Children are welcome to join in these sessions however they are most comfortable. We want to make sure that every child can benefit from taking part whatever their individual needs.
Everything we do is designed to offer children zero pressure, accessible opportunities to broaden their STEM experiences.
We will never push, pressure or expect children to contribute verbally, though they are welcome to if they wish when we open the session to questions.
We endeavour to offer opportunities for children to contribute in a range of zero pressure ways, if they choose to, or to simply watch.
They can join in with cameras on or off, with microphone on or off, they can ask questions by chat or simply watch and enjoy.
You are welcome to be with your child and ask their questions for them or support them however they wish.
Captions will be enabled so you can choose to show automated closed captions on your own screen if you wish.
Sessions may be recorded but children will not show in the recording so their images will not be shared, captured or used.
You can read more about the Sparking STEM approach to education here.
If there is anything else you think we could do to help your child access these sessions please let us know, we're always keen to learn and improve!
Amanda Childs will facilitate the session and do everything possible to ensure all children have opportunities to ask questions (by voice or chat) if they wish to.
Back to top
Children are welcome to join in these sessions however they are most comfortable. We want to make sure that every child can benefit from taking part whatever their individual needs.
Everything we do is designed to offer children zero pressure, accessible opportunities to broaden their STEM experiences.
We will never push, pressure or expect children to contribute verbally, though they are welcome to if they wish when we open the session to questions.
We endeavour to offer opportunities for children to contribute in a range of zero pressure ways, if they choose to, or to simply watch.
They can join in with cameras on or off, with microphone on or off, they can ask questions by chat or simply watch and enjoy.
You are welcome to be with your child and ask their questions for them or support them however they wish.
Captions will be enabled so you can choose to show automated closed captions on your own screen if you wish.
Sessions may be recorded but children will not show in the recording so their images will not be shared, captured or used.
You can read more about the Sparking STEM approach to education here.
If there is anything else you think we could do to help your child access these sessions please let us know, we're always keen to learn and improve!
Amanda Childs will facilitate the session and do everything possible to ensure all children have opportunities to ask questions (by voice or chat) if they wish to.
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.
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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.
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Do you / can we record sessions?
These events may be recorded but the recording will only show the hosts and scientists. Children's images will not be captured.
Please do not take recordings or screenshots of anyone other than your own child and Amanda during the sessions, including the scientist (they may not have granted photo consent).
Sparking STEM may post images of the scientist in the session on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn which you will be able to see and share.
Thank you for respecting privacy and refraining from capturing images of others.
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These events may be recorded but the recording will only show the hosts and scientists. Children's images will not be captured.
Please do not take recordings or screenshots of anyone other than your own child and Amanda during the sessions, including the scientist (they may not have granted photo consent).
Sparking STEM may post images of the scientist in the session on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn which you will be able to see and share.
Thank you for respecting privacy and refraining from capturing images of others.
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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 for full details, your details won't be shared).
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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 for full details, your details won't be shared).
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