Explore your STEM future
Our free national online mentoring scheme, in partnership with The Brightside Trust, is designed to help 13-19-year-olds explore their future career options. By chatting with trained and experienced STEM professionals, young people can:
ask for careers advice
learn more about potential careers
consider life after school, including education at university, apprenticeships, or preparing for employment
The programme is fully funded so participation is free for UK students. Registration is now open for the programme beginning on June 23rd 2025 .
What support will students get?
Students receive one-to-one personalised support over a 10-week period from a STEM Ambassador mentor, with an enhanced safeguarding certificate, who has volunteered to be part of the programme.
They will also gain access to resources to help them make informed decisions about their future and cover topics such as:
Mental health and wellbeing
Job hunting, applications and interviews
Study skills
Money, housing and independent living
How does the mentoring work?
Students can message their mentor at any time during the
9-week mentoring period and mentors will reply as soon as they can. Conversations take place via text-based messaging, a bit like email, so mentors and mentees do not need to be online at the same time.
To keep mentees safe, conversations can only take place via the secure and moderated mentoring platform.
Mentors are all fully trained and DBS checked. To become a mentor you must first register as a STEM Ambassador.
Information for Teachers
Parent/Carer/Guardian Information
Mentoring helps students to understand the real-world applications of their learning. Learn more about how mentoring can help young people with the information leaflet.
Programme Evaluation
The evaluation report, from the Brightside Trust, provides insight into how a STEM mentor can support young people in life after school.
Who can apply?
All young people aged between 13-19 from across the UK are invited to apply.
Teachers can also apply sign-up for their students. There is no limit on the number of mentees able to access the programme from any one school or college.
What support will students get?
Students receive one-to-one personalised support over a 10-week period from a STEM Ambassador mentor, with an enhanced safeguarding certificate, who has volunteered to be part of the programme.
They will also gain access to resources to help them make informed decisions about their future and cover topics such as:
Mental health and wellbeing
Job hunting, applications and interviews
Study skills
Money, housing and independent living
How will mentees and mentors talk?
Students can message their mentor at any time during the 10-week period. Conversations take place via text-based messaging, a bit like email, so mentors will reply as soon as they can.
Can mentors talk over video-call or in-person?
To keep mentees safe, conversations can only take place via the secure and moderated mentoring platform.
If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to get in touch.
