Become a business partner

Our Science Oxford programme reaches over 1000 students every year. In order to do this, we rely on STEM-related employers in the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire region to support our programme and help us to inspire the next generation of scientists.

Why work with us?

Working with Science Oxford’s STEM Careers Programme is rewarding and engaging, and can form a part of your corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy. It also gives your organisation the opportunity to play a part in informing and encouraging young people about their future choices and inspiring them about STEM careers.

Partnering with Science Oxford on our STEM Careers Programme gives local businesses and organisations a wide range of benefits by:

• Contributing to your company’s CSR strategy
• Helping address the shortfall of STEM-skilled workers coming through education and into employment in our region.
• Connecting your business or organisation with young people in your area and the local community.
• Providing professional development opportunities to your staff, such as developing communication or organisational skills.
• Raising the profile of your organisation locally and future employment opportunities to a new generation.

For more information about the activities we offer and how businesses and organisations can get involved, download our brochure and contact the Science Oxford team at [email protected].

Science Oxford Programmes

STEM Skills Workshops

Our in-school Skills Workshops give young people an insight into the STEM industry, possible careers and life-based skills. These workshops have been developed in collaboration with local businesses and organisations, and subjects include critical thinking, CV writing, Excel skills, financial planning, interview skills, and diversity awareness.

Age group: 13–16
Programme times: 1–2 hour workshops, term time only
How you can help:

• Volunteer your time
• Volunteer your experience and skills

STEM Career Days

Our in-school Careers Days are designed to give young people insights into STEM careers whilst also giving them a practical problem to solve, developing their critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Age group: 11–14
Programme times: 1–2 days, term time only
How you can help:

• Volunteer your time
• Share your experiences
• Collaborate on a Careers Day with Science Oxford

STEM Insight Weeks

Our STEM Insight Weeks take place during half-term breaks and are designed to give young people a mix of both practical experience and knowledge of a career in a STEM subject as well as broader skills as they progress through their education. These weeks are currently run in-person and online.

Age group: 14–16
Programme times: Mon–Fri October, February and May half terms
How you can help:

• Volunteer your time
• Provide your knowledge and experience for a talk, in person or online
• Host a group of 10 to 20 students for a half-day tour, activity, or experience within your business

STEM Summer Experience

Similar to our STEM Insight weeks, our Summer Experience is for 16–18 year-olds looking to make choices about careers paths and higher education choices. Our experience weeks include STEM related careers advice, advice on higher education choices and practical skills for young adults.

Age group: 16–18
Programme times: Mon–Fri, first week of summer holiday
How you can help:

• Volunteer your time
• Provide your knowledge and experience for a talk, in person or online
• Host a group of 10 to 20 students for a half-day tour, activity, or experience within your business

STEM Work Experience

Our STEM Work Experience placements are designed to give young people an in-depth view into the working world in a STEM setting. An experience of this kind is invaluable to this age group for those looking to make decisions about their employment and higher education paths.

Age group: 15–17
Programme times: Between 1–4 weeks in the summer holidays
How you can help:

• Host a student for a work experience placement at your company

Young Scientist of the Year

Every year in November we host an evening reception for young people in their final year of sixth form to recognise their hard work, enthusiasm, and dedication to their STEM subject of choice, as nominated by their teachers.

Age group: 16–18
Programme times: One evening in November
How you can help:

• Provide a speaker or compere for the event
• Sponsorship or donations

Thank you for the support

We would like to thank all the organisations and businesses that have supported our secondary school STEM Careers Programme: Abbott Diabetes Care; Ansys; Ariens Co; Aston Martin Lagonda; Auberge du Chocolat; Beard Construction; Bentley; Biocleve; BMW UK; British Computer Society; Chiltern Rangers; Cochrane UK; Department of Oncology, University of Oxford; Diamond Light Source; DJS Antibodies; Faraday Institution; GE Healthcare; GKN; Green Biologics; Habitat Energy; Helio Display Materials; Hoare Lea; Human Centric Drug Discovery; Imageworks; Institute of Biomedical Engineering; Intel; Low Carbon Hub; McAfee; Microbiology Department, University of Oxford; Microbit; Milestone Infra; MRC Harwell Institute; Network Rail; NHM; Olamalu; Oxford Computer Consultants; Oxford University Big Data; Oxford University Museum of Natural History; Polar Technology; Prodrive; Ricardo; Roborace; Samsara Therapeutics; Sharp Life Science; Sir William Dunn School of Pathology; Skanska; Sophos; Specsavers Bicester; Spintex; STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory; Thames Water; UKAEA; University of Oxford Begbroke Science Park; Vertex; Viridor Ardley ERF.