Our aim

Research STEM is designed to empower students aged 16–18 by offering them an opportunity to participate in a dynamic programme that supports their ambitions and future career aspirations in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

This initiative is more than just a placement—it is a comprehensive experience focused on personal and professional development.

By combining academic enrichment with wellbeing and support, Research STEM prepares students not only for the next steps in their education but also for long-term success in their chosen careers. Our goal is to create a nurturing environment where young people feel part of something bigger—a community that champions their growth, curiosity, and potential.

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This summer, 120 students were given the opportunity to take part in a real-world research and investigation project.
Their involvement brings:

Fresh perspectives
Innovative ideas
New approaches to problem-solving

These students aren’t just learning—they’re actively contributing to meaningful research that can shape the future.

Females where offered a research placement this summer 2025.

Females are still underrepresented in many STEM areas, especially in fields like engineering, physics, and computer science. Encouraging female student researchers helps break down systemic barriers and creates a more inclusive and balanced scientific community.

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What is Research

STEM?

A bespoke opportunity for students and supervisors to work together and undertake a two week placement to carry out a piece of research/investigation in any STEM subject area. This programme offers Year 12 students based within in the East of England and London the opportunity to gain hands on, face to face experience in a STEM focused organisation.

In addition to hands-on research opportunities, the programme includes:

Upskilling workshops to build confidence and core competencies
Additional training in key STEM and transferable skills
Mental health and wellbeing sessions to promote resilience and self-care
Mentoring and guidance from experienced professionals
Report writing guidance with experienced professional

Why not take a look at some of our recent research projects below?

They offer a great insight into the diverse range of topics our students have explored and the real-world impact their work is making.

Restoring Local Ecosystems:

A Hands-On Approach to Biodiversity.

Understand the principles of ecology and the significance of biodiversity.
Identify native and invasive species in the local area.
Learn and apply techniques for habitat restoration, including planting native species and removing invasive plants.
Conduct before-and-after assessments of ecosystem health. Activities Field.

Artificial Intelligence Deployment to Improve Construction Productivity.

A unique opportunity for a student to learn how to integrate sensing, AI-driven decision making and AI agents using a Digital Twin approach. The student will implement these techniques to a mini construction site in the lab, enabling the autonomous control of construction machinery to achieve optimal cooperation and efficiency.

Understanding how the use of smartphone apps can support mental and physical health outcomes.

This project aims to equip students with the tools and skills necessary to research how the use of smartphone applications may support—or fail to support—patients’ mental and physical health outcomes. Students will then complete their research report and poster using the guidance provided by Research STEM.

Aircraft Landing Gear Weight Estimation.

The aim of this project will be to develop and test a methodology for landing gear weight estimation based on some simplifying assumptions and utilising existing open-source data. The landing gear assembly consists of many subcomponents and some unknown parameters, hence a quantified margin of error needs to be included in the estimate. This project is a part of a wider research effort investigating aircraft landing gears at Cranfield University in collaboration with Airbus under the LANDOne project.

About our team

We are a small, dedicated team of just three, covering every aspect of the programme - from administration and marketing to coordinating placements, running inductions and celebrations, and reviewing student reports.

With a wealth of experience and a hands-on approach, we take pride in delivering the highest quality experience for both our students and student mentors. Our team is known for being friendly, approachable and committed to making every part of the programme engaging and successful.

Our aim

Julianne Law

Julie Cattermole

Chelsea Fordyce

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