Education

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We are a key provider and coordinator of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education activities and support in Essex. These are for students at school and home, and are designed to both stimulate an interest in STEM and to open possible career paths.

» See upcoming CSES events for schools, children and families
» Talk to us about becoming a CSES Affiliate School

Competitions

Including our flagship annual TEXPO for schools, projects and online competitions throughout the year.

Imagine! STEM Club

Out-of-school clubs, masterclasses and projects to enhance learning with fun, practical activities.

My Smarter Essex

Interactive conferences attended by students, industry partners and the public sector.

STEM Club Bursary

Financial and in-kind support for your STEM Club, project or activity at school.

Resources

Careers guidance, STE(A)M activities, ideas and other material for all ages both in school and at home.

Your stories

Take inspiration from what others have been getting up to.

CSES competition winner speaks with PM

CSES competition winner speaks with PM

November 2021 — we were delighted to be informed that Sarah Mirkin (Year 2/3), one of the winners of our Imagine! STEAM online competitions earlier in the year, was recently invited to Downing Street for an audience with the Prime Minister ahead of his attendance at COP26.

There is more information here:

https://twitter.com/borisjohnson/status/1453708293671636997?s=21

She was also lucky enough to be interviewed for Sky News, along with other children:

https://schools.firstnews.co.uk/fn-education-tv/fyi/fyi-episode-146/#fvp_FYI-TX146_FIRST-NEWS

Our congratulations and thanks to Sarah and her mother, who very kindly told us that "initiatives such as yours ... help the children feel part of something important and feel heard contribute in many surprising ways".

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Solomon's Story: Nuffield Placement

Solomon's Story: Nuffield Placement

Following a careers talk from CSES, Solomon Malih (Year 12/13) completed a successful Nuffield Research Placement over the 2021 summer holidays. He has kindly told us his story here...

Over the summer, I had the privilege of completing a Nuffield Research Placement. The Nuffield Research Placements are an excellent opportunity to spend two weeks with a subject specialist or industry expert working on a live research topic. As for what you do on this two-week placement, that can vary. I know one placement which was centred around artificial intelligence, whilst another was more practical and involved designing a solution to a real-world engineering problem. Some will be more research-based than others, but they will all likely involve reading academic literature, collecting primary and secondary data, and working with the software used in academia and industry.

I spent two weeks investigating the use of quantum computation for particle physics with a research fellow at the University of Cambridge. Some of the theory and mathematics involved was at an undergraduate or even post-graduate standard, but my supervisor was very patient with me and willing to explain things multiple times if needed. My supervisor's work involved testing a quantum physics concept known as a gauge theory using quantum computation. The particles involved in testing the gauge theory can be modelled as quantum gates, which I implemented in a quantum circuit and simulated using Qiskit, an open-source SDK (software development kit) that provides tools for working with quantum machines.

At the end of the placement, I had to produce a 10-20 page research report outlining my project's aim, findings, methodology, and more.

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Cell and Gene Therapy Apprenticeships in Braintree

Cell and Gene Therapy Apprenticeships in Braintree

Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult announces apprenticeship vacancies

The Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult has opened its first apprenticeship vacancies at its Braintree facility, working on the development of vaccines. This would be a fantastic opportunity for someone in the local area. Please note that deadlines are very close (early-mid September 2021), but there is still time to apply!

Follow the links below to see further details and to apply:

These are an excellent chance to work at the cutting edge of science and medical technology.

The Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult is one of a network of elite technology and innovation centres established by Innovate UK as a long-term investment in the UK's economic capability. Applying business-led research, Catapults help businesses transform great ideas into valuable products and services to compete in the global markets of tomorrow.

Search all Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult vacancies

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Centenary Photographic Competition 2021

Photographic Competition 2021 Deadline Extended

We are pleased to advise that our Centenary Photographic Competition 2021 is open for another four weeks, to allow as many people to participate as possible following the summer holidays and busy start of term.

The deadline for entry has now been extended to Friday 15 October 2021.

The competition, with this year's theme of Fresh Air, Fresh Thinking is open to anyone in full time or part time education in Essex and explores the key link between the creative arts and STEM.

We want you to take photographs that express what air pollution means to you, or how it impacts our health or our environment, and the negative or positive roles that technology can play.

Read full details here and submit your entry here (please make sure to read the FAQs, terms and conditions first!)

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Fresh Air – Fresh Thinking

Fresh Air – Fresh Thinking

A project for Primary and Secondary School Students: September 2021 to June 2022

We are launching a major new science, technology and computing project for primary and secondary schools.

We are looking for participating schools across Essex to become CSES School Affiliate Members where student teams will:

  • Collect weather and air quality information (equipment will be supplied).
  • Interpret, publish and share data in real-time with other schools – opportunity for coding and web development.
  • Undertake a survey of student, staff or parent perceptions of air pollution.
  • Design and carry out a scientific investigation into clean air, nitrous oxides or particulate matter. Or you can discuss your own idea with your CSES School Champion to develop your own unique study.

To maximise the success of these student-led projects, additional competitive funding may be available from our CSES STEM Club Bursary.

There will be PRIZES for the most innovative, best data and greatest impact entry in each age group, presented at our annual awards ceremony at Anglia Ruskin University in July. In consultation with your CSES Champion, teams may be funded to enter their project for an appropriate level National CREST Award.

We are now looking for schools across Essex (including the unitary authorities) to become CSES School Affiliate Members and discuss how they would like to be involved in this exciting project.

Please contact our Vice President for Education, Professor David Humber, for further information (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

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