By Ms Gethins (Head of Science)

After BGS became a Youth STEMM Award centre in 2023, we are delighted to announce that four of our Year 9 students have recently achieved a Bronze Award, which requires a total of 45 hours of work. This initiative is jointly led by Mr Holden (Maths Teacher) and me (Head of Science), as we guide and support our students through this programme. Congratulations to Ayesha Bacon, Serena Hirani, Emily Foster and Harriet Yuille on this outstanding achievement.

The Youth STEMM Award provides a structured framework that encourages participants to engage in a wider range of activities, enhancing their impact and personal development. Through this, students gain valuable skills, build confidence and create a record of achievement. The programme focuses on inspiring the public, engaging with younger students, developing skills and knowledge and shaping future aspirations.

Designed to support and inspire the next generation into STEMM, Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine, the award requires students to log their hours and reflect on their learning in a personal digital portfolio. On completion, they receive a digital badge, a medal and a certificate, and can add Youth STEMM Award holders to their CV as well as select it as an option on their UCAS university application.

Emily Foster (Year 9) said: “For my STEMM project, I introduced younger pupils to the joy of science. I explored the wide range of careers linked to STEMM and, as part of the award, created a presentation to inspire others to take an interest in the subject.”

Serena Hirani (Year 9) added: “I was so pleased that I had received my Bronze STEMM Award! I’ve always loved getting involved in STEMM activities and being able to do things that interest me, while developing my future, was just great. Each strand opened up new opportunities and it gave me a chance to really explore all the different pathways that STEMM can take you. Something I have enjoyed while I was working towards my award would be visiting Kennedy Space Centre and doing the workshops with Putnoe Primary School. I don’t regret applying for this award at all; in fact, it has been an amazing experience. I am really excited to be working towards my next one!”