Current sponsors:

We are very grateful to all our sponsors. Their generous support covers all aspects of the administration of the project, enabling hundreds of students to give their time to helping in schools.
We would especially like to thank:

• Mr Neil Thomason
• University of Cambridge Departments and Faculties: Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Computer Laboratory, Economics, Education, Engineering, Experimental Psychology, Genetics, Medicine, Pharmacology, Physics, Pure Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics, and the School of Biological Sciences.
• The Colleges of the University of Cambridge: Christ's, Corpus Christi, Darwin, Downing, Emmanuel, Fitzwilliam, Girton, Gonville and Caius, Homerton, Jesus, Murray Edwards, Newnham, Pembroke, Queens', Robinson, Selwyn, Sidney Sussex, St Catharine's, St Edmund's, St John's, Trinity and Trinity Hall.
• University of Cambridge Active Community Fund

Benefits to the student volunteers

Enjoyment

Many students have commented on how they've enjoyed a regular break from their studies, meeting children and teenagers (all too rare during term), or the buzz they've got from helping children succeed. One commented "It's the highlight of my week."

Altruism

Lots of students are only too willing to give of their time and skills; STIMULUS gives them a chance to share their subject expertise in a very practical and useful way.

Communication skills

Many students say that they get better at explaining things as the term goes on. They develop their communication skills, and employers will see a STIMULUS placement as evidence that a potential employee is capable of communicating clearly with those who are not experts in their field.

Career decisions

Some students are considering a career in teaching, and STIMULUS can help with that decision. One student undertook both a primary and a secondary placement, to see which he preferred. For many, it has confirmed that they do want to teach. For some, it has been valuable in confirming that they would prefer not to teach (although they might continue working with young people in other contexts).

Confidence

Some students find that their confidence increases during their placement, particularly in terms of relating to young people. Because the starting point is explaining their subject, with which they are confident, students are able to build up working relationships with the pupils through their subject. For some, it is the first time they have worked with teachers as colleagues, and that is also valuable. One student admitted that working with children increased her confidence in her academic abilities; after a week of studying at a very challenging level, here were problems she could enjoy!

Benefits to schools, teachers and pupils

Extra adult help

Having an extra adult in the classroom brings obvious benefits; there is more adult attention to share between the pupils, and teachers can plan more adventurous or varied activities with the volunteer to help. Many teachers plan practical work for the day when their STIMULUS volunteer is there. In some cases, an experienced volunteer has worked with a small group on extra topics covered in higher tier exam papers.

Expertise

Particularly at the upper end of primary school, where a teacher may not be a science specialist, it can be very helpful to have a volunteer with expertise in the subject. Often the volunteer will be asked to work with the ablest pupils, who may be asking some very challenging questions about the topic they are studying.

Group work

Sometimes volunteers are asked to work with a particular group of pupils; perhaps an exuberant bunch who need help to focus on the task in hand, a quiet group who need encouragement to share their ideas, or an able group who need to be asked some challenging questions to take the work further. In all of these cases, the volunteer provides invaluable help in giving those pupils more individual attention than the teacher is able to give.

Individual help

Often the volunteer helps generally within the class, but they are usually able to spend that bit longer with each individual. Although this may not seem significant at the time, it often means that the pupil becomes much more confident with the task, and that confidence has a knock-on effect in future. One pupil commented "That’s the most I’ve ever learnt in a maths lesson, ever!” Sometimes a volunteer will work for a longer time with a particular individual or group; sometimes a pupil with little English, or a pupil working at a much higher level than their peers.

Role models

Students make very good role models. They are not too much older than the pupils, and almost always more trendy than the teachers. Their enthusiasm for their subject often rubs off on pupils far more than a teacher's. For pupils who have not considered higher education, it is a chance for them to find out more about what is like, and at sixth form level, the volunteers sometimes talk with students about university courses and applications. As one primary teacher said, "To get to know a medical student, a mathematician and an engineer (all female) must be an inspiration to our inner-city children."

Benefits to the wider community

Teacher recruitment

A STIMULUS placement helps many students to decide whether to pursue a teaching career. As well as helping them to make a decision before committing to a teacher training course, it provides them with valuable experience which helps them to make a more confident start to their training. In addition to those pursuing a long term teaching career, some apply to Teach First, or get involved in teaching-related careers or volunteer placements in this country or overseas.

Good communicators

A third of STIMULUS volunteers already know that they have no interest in a career teaching in schools. However, many of the volunteers will go on to other careers where their ability to communicate their subject will be of great importance. Their STIMULUS placement is likely to have given them a better understanding of perceptions of their subject, and increased skills in explaining complex ideas to a general audience.

Better teaching in universities

Many STIMULUS volunteers will continue in academia, and go on to teach their subject at university level, whether as a supervisor, demonstrator or lecturer. Their placement will have given them a better understanding of their students' educational background (particularly for those who have come from overseas). They will have gained an insight into the nature of teaching and learning, and some experience in explaining concepts to learners in different ways.

Relationships with the local community

Many children and young people in local schools have little to do with the university and the student population. For them and their parents, seeing students contributing to the local community helps to break down any town/gown divide.

If you would like more information on supporting the programme, please contact Julia Hawkins.

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