in2science Booklet

Impact Report 2016
Empowering students from low-income backgrounds to achieve their potential and progress to STEM degrees and careers, to become the innovators and pioneers of the future


Foreword
This report outlines the positive impact and transformational di erence we have made in supporting young people from the most disadvantaged backgrounds to achieve their potential in pursuing science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) university degrees and careers. It also highlights the impact STEM professionals and researchers can make inspiring and supporting the next generation.
2016 has been a fantastic year. We have expanded to involve new schools and regions, and provided placements to a record number of students, o ering exciting new placement opportunities across STEM subjects. Since our foundation, we have supported over 550 students to take part, over 70% of whom are now enrolled in leading Higher Education institutions in the UK. This is a signi cant success, but there is much still to be done and moving forward, we have ambitious plans to bring in2scienceUK to several new locations by 2020.
On behalf of all the Trustees I would like to thank all our business, charity, university, and philanthropic partners for your continued support, and for all that you have contributed to helping these young people succeed. It is a privilege to work with you, and we look forward to growing these relationships in the coming year.
Professor Geraint Rees, FMedSci
In2scienceUK Trustee
Dean of the UCL Faculty of Life Sciences
In2scienceUK was initially founded by researchers who wanted to make a real di erence to young people from disadvantaged and under-represented backgrounds in their local communities. We know that poverty and social background remain huge barriers in progressing to top universities and high skilled careers, including scienti c research careers. Our mission is to increase diversity and equal opportunity within the sector.
The in2scienceUK programme works with young people from the most under-represented backgrounds and tackles each barrier by putting researchers and the science community at the heart of the solution. Over the next ve years we will continue to expand our programme, supporting current in2scienceUK students as they progress towards successful STEM careers and inspiring the next generation of students as they progress through secondary education. I would like to thank all of our supporters, volunteers, and researchers who are committed to our mission and work with our students year on year to make this di erence.
Dr Rebecca McKelvey
In2scienceUK Director and Founder


In2scienceUK is an award-winning charity that leverages science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) researchers and professionals to unlock the potential of young people to pursue successful STEM degrees and careers. We work with those from the poorest and most under- represented backgrounds, including those on free school meals - a key measure of poverty.
Percentage of A-level students progressing to university
Percentage of A-level students progressing to a Russell Group university
44%
Students on free school meals
78%
in2scienceUK students
5%
Students on free school meals
54%
in2scienceUK students
Since 2011 in2scienceUK has partnered with volunteer STEM researchers, schools, businesses and higher education institutes to support over 500 students progress towards university STEM education and careers.
We have increased the number of students we work with every year
91
2011-2012
Number of schools we work with
147
155
2013-2014
Number of volunteer researchers
301
2015-2016
Percent of students who would recommend in2scienceUK
100%
252
Our Impact


The Problem
The Problem
In the UK social mobility (the income gap between the richest and poorest in society is among the lowest
In the UK, social mobility (the gap between the richest and poorest in society) is among the worst in
in the developed world (OECD, 2010). Although education is a vehicle for improving social mobility, top
the developed world (OECD, 2010). Although education is a vehicle for improving social mobility, top
universities remain overwhelmingly dominated by children from the most privileged homes (Sutton Trust
universities remain overwhelmingly dominated by students from the most privileged homes (Sutton
Only 5% of free school meals students progress to Russell Group universities in contrast with 55% of those in private education.
report, 2010).
Trust, 2010).
In the UK 15% of students are on free school meals and 7% are privately educated.
“It is very worrying to see the access gap at our most selective universities widen at a time when overall higher education participation has improved for disadvantaged students.”
Sir Peter Lampl, Chairman of the Sutton Trust January 21, 2016
Components of a successful university application
Even when free school meal students achieve good A-level grades they remain much less likely to be o ered a place at university compared to wealthier peers. This is due to their lack of real world work experience, inspirational role models, quality careers advice and university application support.
Good A-level grades
Careers advice and university application support
Work experience and role models


In2scienceUK believes that promoting a STEM education for all, that builds diversity and attracts the brightest students regardless of background and wealth, is vital to drive innovation and success in science, technology, and engineering. As STEM workers typically earn 20% more than in other elds, getting more able young people from low-income backgrounds into these professions also promotes increased social mobility (Greenwood et al., 2011).
Improving access to STEM science careers:
1 Increases the pipeline of UK STEM professionals
There is an annual shortfall of 40,000 STEM skilled workers with the number of future technical jobs forecast to increase. Increasing the numbers of disadvantaged students in these careers would increase the UK’s economic competitiveness (Broughton, 2013).
2 Grows a science literate society
It is of economic, political and social importance that we become a science literate society. In this technological age, it is vital that all people have the ability to assess complex information and distinguish facts from opinions.
3 Builds a more diverse workforce
Businesses with diverse and inclusive cultures perform better nancially, reduce sta turnover, and maintain increased creativity and problem-solving capacity. (Desvaux et al., 2007; Forbes Insights, 2011).
“There’s a class barrier to the professions, but it’s more extreme for science.” Katherine Mathieson, Chief Executive of the British Science Association
Our Vision


Our Programme
We provide students with a high impact 1-year programme involving 1:1 STEM work placements, skills days and workshops that provide bespoke support and information on university access, STEM careers and employability skills. Students also participate in focused reading and writing activities to develop key skills. In this way, every in2scienceUK student progresses through the programme becoming more con dent and well-read, with the skills needed for success.
1 Real world STEM work placements and role models
Students work 1:1 alongside STEM researchers in academia and business, gaining rst-hand experience in real world, cutting-edge projects. Students also complete challenging reading, writing, and presenting activities.
2 Bespoke skills days and workshops series
In2scienceUK students receive bespoke technology, engineering, and science careers advice, skills days, and lectures and workshops focused on developing their professional skills and con dence.
3 University admissions guidance
In2scienceUK coordinators provide students with admissions advice and personalised university application support to ensure they make informed choices and high-quality applications.
In2scienceUK tackles two critical national challenges: a de cit of skilled STEM workers in the UK and
the fact that young people from low-income backgrounds are less likely than their wealthier peers to progress to university to
study STEM subjects.”
Brett Wigdortz - Founder and CEO, Teach First
An incredibly unique, enriching experience that has given me an insight into a science eld I am now
incredibly passionate about. Would recommend it to anyone. I am now studying Biochemistry and Genetics at the University
of Shef eld.”
Jack, 2013 in2scienceUK participant from Kingsmead School, En eld


In the next ve years we will build on our success by increasing STEM placement opportunities in academic institutions and businesses, growing nationally in the UK, and engaging with in2scienceUK alumni to help them progress to STEM careers.
National growth
In2scienceUK has grown from our London origins to o er STEM placements across the South East. By 2021 we aim to provide over 1000 placement opportunities annually throughout the UK.
2011 2016 2021
Engagement for all
We aim to expand the programme to engage with younger students and o er support throughout their education to ensure they have access to information, role models, and STEM experiences. This will enable them to make informed decisions on future STEM careers.
Supporting our alumni
We want to provide career support opportunities for in2scienceUK alumni including the launch of an internship programme where recent participants can continue to gain valuable work experience with our STEM partner organisations.
To achieve these ambitious targets we will expand our core funding, develop new strategic partnerships, and increase key personnel and database infrastructure.
Goals and Impact Projection


Universities
The universities we work with play a key role in providing high-quality information on university admissions and placements while showcasing their undergraduate courses to top in2scienceUK students. Student tracking through the in2scienceUK programme indicates that students placed at a university are much more likely to apply and successfully enrol to that university.
“We are delighted to be working with in2scienceUK to bring their innovative work placement scheme to Oxford and set an exciting precedent for high-impact engagement. The enthusiasm and enjoyment of the pupils and their mentors was inspiring.”
Professor Peter Magill, Deputy Director of the Dynamic Network Unit at the University of Oxford
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
“ We have worked with In2scienceUK for the last four years. Their approach closely aligns with our aims at UCL, with the quality of the placements, support and guidance given to each student having a demonstrable impact.”
Lucy March, Access Manager, UCL
Universities attended by in2scienceUK alumni
Percentage of in2scienceUK students progressing to universities
University
Russell Group university
80%
78%
79% 74% 73%
60% 42%
58.6%
48%
60%


Our
In2scienceUK works with top researchers to leverage their passion and expertise, to provide students
In2scienceUK works with volunteer STEM researchers to provide students with inspirational work
with work placements, giving insights into cutting edge research and positive role models. In this
placements, giving insights into cutting-edge research. Our researchers are essential, positive role
way researchers play a pivotal role by supporting students who may not be able to organise such
models, who support students that cannot organise such experiences for themselves.
experiences for themselves.
Since 2011 we have worked with over 250 volunteers who contribute over 5000 hours of their time each year.
“ It was a real pleasure to give students, who don’t normally have such opportunities, a chance to experience life in the lab.”
Dr Laura Andreae, King’s College London
Number of volunteer STEM researchers
252
Hours of volunteering delivered in 2016
Placements offered in a wide variety of disciplines
Social Sciences
Medical Science
Physics
Life Sciences
Working years of volunteering
Ecology
Engineering
equivalent to
Computer Science
5000
2 Years 3 Months
“ I believe that it is our responsibility as academics to engage with young people and give them an insight into what we do. Importantly, it is fun for us as well.”
Professor Marc-Olivier Coppens Ramsay - Memorial Professor and Head of Chemical Engineering
Director, EPSRC “Frontier Engineering” Centre for Nature Inspired Engineering (CNIE) UCL
Researchers Researchers


Students
In2scienceUK helps students from the most disadvantaged backgrounds and provides them with the skills, information and con dence they need to achieve their potential.
My placement was so inspiring and made me realise science really was for me.”
Hannah from Coloma Convent school was an in2scienceUK student in 2013 and was placed at UCL. She is now studying Natural Science at UCL.
I’m really grateful that I was given this eye-opening
opportunity working alongside extraordinary researchers. I could not have found such an experience anywhere else!”
Paul from Sacred Heart School was an in2scienceUK student in 2015 and is now studying a Natural Science degree.
Asian or Asian British
Other Ethnicity
White
100%
of our students are on free school meals and/or have parents who do not hold a university quali cation
Following the programme:
are from a range of ethnic backgrounds
Black or Black British
64%
are females
89%
of students increased their enjoyment of STEM
75%
77%
of students have now read an academic STEM paper
of students had no access to any other educational programmes or support


In2scienceUK works with leading STEM societies and businesses to leverage their passion and expertise, allowing us to provide bespoke STEM-based work placements. In addition to providing nancial support, our partner organisations play a pivotal role in delivering life-changing opportunities to students who lack access to these resources through their families and schools.
We work with businesses and societies from a range of disciplines
Bioscience
Medical
EcologicalEngineering Pharmaceutical
This scheme has a huge impact on the students who
take part. But, in2scienceUK also provides a great opportunity for Biochemical society members to make a difference within their own communities and engage with talented students from different backgrounds. We continue to support in2scienceUK in this valuable scheme.”
Professor Rob Beynon, Chair of the Biochemical Society’s Education Committee, Professor of Proteomics at the University of Liverpool
Case Study: Abcam corporate engagement
In 2016 in2scienceUK launched an image competition in partnership with Abcam to showcase some of the work of our students. Students submitted images in one of 3 categories, including ‘Science down a microscope’, ‘Science through a lens’ and ‘The faces of science’. Images were judged by Abcam employees which were published in partnership with the UK Biochemical Society. Winning images included:
(Left to right)
1. Mouse Cochlea Section Under a Confocal Microscope by Fabiola Hauwel
2. Getting to grips with a micro-pipette by Ilham Ibrahim
3. Life under the lens by Afnan Abdullahi
We were thrilled to get involved with this scheme. As a
business that has always closely collaborated with the scienti c community, we believe inspiring the next generation is critical to advancing future scienti c research.”
Dr Alan Hirzel, CEO of Abcam
STEM Societies and Businesses


With thanks to our sponsors and supporters
To support us contact Dr Rebecca McKelvey [email protected]
@in2scienceUK in2scienceUK
In2scienceUK is a registered Charity (1164821) and company (07706662) in England and Wales. Our registered address is 10 Queen Street Place, London, EC4R 1BE.
Our founding sponsors
FARAH PRIZE
This impact report was designed and produced by Research Retold www.researchretold.com