Schools, colleges and the public
A key part of the M4DE CDT programme is public engagement and outreach.
I cannot praise Will, Kiran, and Andy enough; they have been outstanding! Their enthusiasm for science is infectious our students have benefited from every encounter they have been lucky enough to have had. They are incredible role models and from a point of view of careers allowed our students contact with academics they would not have had, giving them an idea of alternative courses and areas of science we don’t have time to go into.
Kathryn Parkinson / Head of Science at Oldham Sixth Form College
I'm very grateful for the help we've had this year from your PhD students. They all have a superb ability to communicate what they do enthusiastically. Our students in Years 8, 10 and 12 have all really enjoyed the sessions they planned and delivered, so thanks! One of my A Level Physics students is now considering Materials or Engineering at University so they definitely made a good and lasting impression.
Rob Martin / Physics Teacher at Darwen Aldridge Community Academy
In Year 2, students take part in the Supporting Local Schools Initiative (SLSI) and Nuffield Research Placements.
SLSI involves students working with schools and sixth form colleges in the North West, with each student taking part in around nine STEM-related activities throughout the year.
Currently, there are four state schools and colleges involved in the SLSI programme:
- Darwen Aldridge Community Academy
- Oldham Sixth Form College
- Trinity High School
- Xaverian Sixth Form College
Nuffield Research Placements are organised in conjunction with the Nuffield Foundation, and involve M4DE students supervising sixth form school or college students undertaking a 4-6 week research project during July and August.
Projects are all related to the theme of the M4DE CDT, focusing on the structure and properties of materials. Previous project titles include:
- Getting to grips with advanced materials processing: Sintering;
- Tackling Corrosion: An expensive everyday problem;
- Understanding stainless steel: A material for all seasons.
Please contact us if you have an interest in a student-school collaboration.