Inspiring The Future: STEM Ambassadors In Schools
- By Laura Jackson
Mathematics is the foundation of many careers, yet many students struggle to see how
maths connects to the real world. This is where STEM Ambassadors step in
—professionals from STEM roles in a wide range of industries who volunteer their time to visit schools, share their career journeys, and engage students with hands-on activities to demonstrate how maths is used in their fields.
Who Are STEM Ambassadors?
STEM Ambassadors come from a range of careers, including engineers, scientists, software developers, and healthcare professionals. Their goal is to bring STEM subjects to life by linking the curriculum to careers in a way that engages students, giving examples of subject knowledge applications in their workplace.
At the Maths Scholars Resources Workshop at the National STEM learning Centre in
York this February, we were joined by Fatima, who is currently working as a Feature Architect at Aston Martin. In 2024 Fatima was recognised as an emerging talent in electrical systems engineering and currently volunteers as a STEM ambassador. Fatima uses her own experience to demonstrate to students that many STEM professionals may not have a linear career and discusses how her curiosity and interest in aerospace engineering led her to discover a new career path.
Why STEM Ambassadors Matter
By volunteering their time, STEM Ambassadors play a crucial role in raising aspirations and breaking stereotypes about who can succeed in STEM. Meeting professionals from diverse backgrounds helps students see that STEM careers are open to everyone, regardless of gender or background.
Many students ask, “When will I ever use this in real life?” and STEM Ambassadors help answer this by showing how maths underpins their jobs in practical ways. These real-world connections can be eye-opening for students, sparking interest and helping them understand the value of STEM subjects. For students, these visits can be a turning point—transforming subjects that once seemed irrelevant into exciting career possibilities.
If you're a teacher, career leader, or student, consider inviting a STEM Ambassador to your school. It could be the spark that ignites a lifelong passion for STEM!
How Schools Can Get Involved
Through the STEM Learning website, schools can request a visit from volunteers across the UK who would like to share their career journeys and inspire students to investigate STEM pathways. The program is free, and visits can be tailored to suit different year groups and subjects. Ambassadors may be asked to;
• give career talks – sharing their journey from education to industry and how maths has played a role in their job.
• run problem-solving activities – using interactive tasks to help students apply mathematical concepts to real life challenges.
• answer student questions – Q&A sessions provide students the opportunity to ask professionals from a range of industries about their work and ambassadors can offer insight into the skills and qualifications needed for STEM careers.
• equip students with skills to complete their own research – providing guidance to students to help them identify what they are passionate about and discuss useful tools and websites to visit.
By linking their careers to mathematical principles, ambassadors help students appreciate the importance of maths beyond exams, and 94% of educators said that an ambassador visit improved students’ enthusiasm for STEM subjects.
https://www.stem.org.uk/stem-ambassadors/request-stem-ambassador
By Laura Jackson
Instagram: @laura.evie.jack
Images of Laura and Fatima supplied by Author.
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