£700 bursaries launched to help schools deliver STEM events

EUK Education has opened its bursary scheme to help schools across the UK remove barriers to hands-on STEM activities. Secondary schools with high proportions of groups underrepresented in engineering are eligible to apply. The initiative aims to inspire students who don’t see STEM as “for them”.

The £700 bursaries can be used to fund an activity featured on Neon, a dedicated platform with quality-assured science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) activities. Neon hosts a wide range of workshops, trips and events from leading providers. It also offers inspiring case studies and supportive resources to help teachers raise aspirations. Alternatively, bursaries can be used for schools to host a Big Bang at School event. A day filled with exciting STEM activities, workshops and project work.

Susi Farnworth, head of equity, diversity and inclusion at EngineeringUK, commented:

“A great STEM experience can change how a student sees themselves and their future. Our bursaries help schools bring learning to life with exciting activities. Through these, we’re looking forward to more young people from all backgrounds building confidence and curiosity through engineering and technology and to inspiring a diverse future workforce.”

Last year’s bursary scheme enabled over 26,000 students to take part in a host of STEM activities. They explored areas such as robotics, astrophysics, and applied design. 88 per cent of teachers taking part said the bursary enabled them to involve more students from underrepresented backgrounds. 84 per cent of teachers said that without the bursary, their schools would not have been able to take part at all.

While a single STEM outreach activity can be inspiring, research suggests that providing young people with ongoing repeated experience is more effective in building interest and aspirations. EUK Education’s bursary scheme aims to inspire teachers to keep engaging with STEM outreach. 97 per cent of teachers who have previously taken advantage of a bursary said they would be interested in a future engagement.

Applications for bursaries are now open and close at 5pm on Monday, 20 July.

For more details, including eligibility and how to apply, please visit: www.eukeducation.org.uk/funding