Getting Started with STEM Events
Schools & Youth Groups
To create a request for STEM Ambassador support the first step is to login to www.stem.org.uk, in your dashboard there is an option to ‘Advertise an Activity’. You will be asked for the details of your possible STEM event – when, where and with what group of of young people – and finally to provide a description of the STEM event that you would like to run. As an example this could be; ‘our Year 5 would like to learn more about engineering careers, could someone visit and give a 20 minute talk on their engineering career‘ or ‘our Scout Troop is pursuing their science badge, please could an Ambassador run a science workshop with us?‘
STEM Ambassadors
Once you’ve completed your STEM Induction training and DBS Check then you can start volunteering as a STEM Ambassador. You can find all current requests for STEM Support via your STEM profile or the STEM Ambassador App. Your STEM Hub will also keep you up to date with what’s going on in your area with regular emails.
If you spot a request from a school or youth group that you feel you could support then you can volunteer for that activity by ‘expressing an interest‘. You can then send the activity organiser a message; introduce yourself and ask any questions you may have.
Expressions of Interest
An expression of interest is a notification that a STEM Ambassador could be available to support a request. It isn’t a firm commitment, but the start of a conversation about the request. You can send messages via the message bank, which is located underneath the Ambassador’s name at the bottom of the activity. If the message bank isn’t immediately visible then please click on the Ambassador’s name and the messages should then drop down.
The teacher or youth group leader, as the activity organiser, is responsible for deciding if what the STEM Ambassador is offering is suited to the activity they are organising. It’s important for both the STEM Ambassador and the activity organisers to have a discussion and ask any questions they may have. The activity organiser will then need to decide on next steps:
Option 1: Offer the position to your volunteer
This will confirm the Ambassador on the STEM portal and cover them with our insurance for when they participate in your event. You should then swap direct contact information and arrange a time to have a chat, ideally over the phone or in-person, to discuss the logistical details of your event and agree on a plan together.
Option 2: Withdraw from the event
If the scheduling just isn’t working out, then both the Ambassador and activity organiser can withdraw at any time, you can use the messaging bank to arrange another date if you want to. Activity organisers can also withdraw any Ambassadors if they already have enough volunteer support or if the support offered isn’t a good fit on this occasion.
Before your event
The most successful STEM events are a collaboration between the activity organiser and the Ambassador. We’d advise that activity organisers and Ambassadors make a time to have a discussion about the event, it’s always helpful to discuss expectations and aims, as well as the logistical details. The checklist below will give you an outline of what planning conversations need to take place prior to your event.
If your event is taking place in a school, then the activity organiser will need to make sure that the Ambassador is expected at reception. Some schools have closed IT systems or disabled USB ports, so you may not be able to run any presentations on an external device. The Ambassador may need to bring ID and will need escorting to & from any classrooms. Ambassadors should never be left alone with students, it’s the schools responsibility to safeguard their young people as well as manage student behaviour.
