Programme for schools

Introduction

Spark your curiosity for Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths

The Science and Technology Facilities Council is one of Europe's largest multidisciplinary research organisations, supporting scientists and engineers world-wide. The Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL), near Didcot in Oxfordshire, is home to many of the UK’s most advanced research facilities and supports work in a range of areas including space science and astronomy, particle physics, nanotechnology and developing new materials.

RAL employs nearly 1200 people and every year around 10,000 scientists and engineers use the Laboratory's facilities to advance their research.

The Education and Public Outreach team at RAL is here to bring all of this world class science to life for a range of audiences, especially teachers and young people. This highlights some of the support we offer to schools to help to enrich and enhance the STEM curriculum and to help students to discover Big Science.

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Work experience

Each spring and summer, RAL hosts students aged 14 – 19 on work experience placements. A placement here is a great way to find out what a scientist does day-to-day, try your hand at an experiment, data collection and analysis, computer programming or simply meet different people who work here. Applications for a placement between March and August should be received by Christmas the previous year. Contact us for an application form.

Find out more about work experience at RAL.

Thank you for the experience you have given me on such an enjoyable placement and in seeing how an interest of mine could become a career for me in the future - An A-level student from Reading School

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Apprenticeships

STFC offer a number of electrical, electronic and mechanical apprenticeships through the Engineering Advanced Apprenticeship Scheme. An apprentice is taken on for 4 years of paid training, supervised by the Council. With a competitive salary, an apprenticeship is an ideal start to a career in engineering.

The apprenticeship training scheme at the RAL site has been running for 18 years and is regarded as one of the best engineering apprenticeships in the country.

The unique nature of the work undertaken here contributes to an interesting, enjoyable and rewarding period of training in one of the world's leading scientific and engineering research organisations.

Find out more about the apprenticeship training scheme.

There is a wide range of work in this department: cooling pipe-work on satellites, vacuum systems, cleanroom assemblies, building internal components for satellite dishes, as well as doing detailed CSD drawings. One of my favourite placements was at the Synchrotron in Grenoble in the south of France! These are just a few of many exciting placements as part of the RAL apprentice scheme - Alan Thompson - current mechnical apprentice at the Cryogenics facility

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Site Visits

Visits to STFC facilities are a fabulous opportunity to see world-leading research facilities that are used by teams from around the world, and to meet with the scientists and engineers using them. A visit is free of charge but must be arranged and confirmed in advance. Due to the size of the site it is impossible to go to all the research facilities during one day and the facilities available on a particular day will vary depending upon the experimental programmes taking place. It is possible to visit:

• e-Science
• Central Laser Facility
• ISIS Neutron / Muon Source
• Metrology
• Space Science and Technology Department
• Advanced Materials

Find out more about STFC education access days.

I enjoyed the tour because it put the theory from classes into practice. We have studied ISIS quite extensively, so it was good to see it for real - A-level student - Wycombe High School

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Teacher CPD sessions

In partnership with the South East Science Learning Centre, RAL supports Continued Professional Development courses based on the cutting edge science that takes place at RAL. Current courses include ‘Living in a Materials World’ and ‘Observing the Universe’. Many of our courses include an Impact Award to assist in covering the costs of attendance. Bookings are generally made through the Science Learning Centre.

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Masterclasses

The National Particle Physics Masterclass is a popular series of one day events for sixth form students and their teachers, run by particle physics researchers at various institutes all over the country and co-ordinated through the Institute of Physics. Since the inception of the programme in 1997, they have proved to be stimulating and informative for thousands of students and hundreds of schools. These classes provide excellent support for the material on Particle Physics which is in many 16+ curricula.

The Masterclasses at RAL (link opens in a new window) provide the chance to hear talks by leading Particle Physicists from RAL and CERN, tour one of our accelerators and carry out a computer simulation activity with staff from RAL’s prestigious Particle Physics Department.

These are popular events – register your interest now to ensure early booking priority!

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Talking Science

RAL hosts a programme of free monthly talks, with speakers both from within STFC and from other science and physics disciplines. Day time lectures are especially geared towards schools. Lectures are free, but booking is essential. Visit our website or join our mailing list for the current programme of lectures.

Find out more about the Talking Science lecture series.

I thought I would say how much I enjoyed Frank Close’s Antimatter lecture and your efficient and most pleasant organisation that made it all work so well - An audience member

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Events for local schools

School Science Prize

The annual School Science Prize, held at RAL for over ten years, is a chance for schools to award their Year 9 pupil who is most deserving of recognition for their work in science. It could be for excellent results, hard work or enthusiasm. Schools are invited to nominate their most deserving pupil who is invited with their parents and teachers to spend an evening at RAL, meet other like minded students and hear an inspiring lecture from a RAL scientist. They also each receive a certificate and a prize, presented by the speaker.

 

Many thanks to RAL for organising the KS3 presentation evening on Tuesday. It is always a pleasure to visit RAL and celebrate the successes of so many youngsters and enjoy seeing the proud-parent moments! - Head of Science at St Bart's School

A Level Physicist of the Year

For Year 13 students from state and independent schools across Oxfordshire, the Physicist of the Year event celebrates the very best pupils in the county. Pupils are nominated by their schools and invited with their parents and teachers to spend an evening at RAL. We bring in a special guest speaker to inspire them to do their very best and to see where physics can take them if they choose to take it at university or as a career.

There has never been a greater need for enthusiastic and talented young people like today’s award-winners to tackle the huge scientific and technological challenges we and future generations face - Professor Bill David - Senior Scientist at ISIS, RAL

County Science Day

Year 7 pupils from Oxfordshire schools get the chance to spend a day at RAL, doing activities and tasks to enthuse them in science. They meet some RAL scientists, test their skills at building a car from a drinks can, and watch a whizzy science show. In association with the Oxfordshire County Council, this event is a great first step for young scientists to see some big science in action.

Very well organised, lots of activities to do but still plenty of choice - KS3 teacher

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For information on anything regarding our work with schools, please contact the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Education and Public Outreach team:

• Jo Lewis
  Senior Manager
  Tel: +44 (0)1235 445 950

Or call our dedicated schools line on: +44 (0)1235 445 789.