GCSE Science Live! was created to inspire thousands of 15 and 16 year-olds to take science further than GCSE. Here, Dr Kate Lancaster, who works at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, reflects on her experiences with the programme

When I look back to the time I was doing my own GCSEs, the thing that was missing was decent, visible, role models in science. I already knew science would form part of my future, but could not see myself reflected in anyone around me.

Had GCSE Science Live existed back then it would have provided me with the clarity and inspiration I needed to decide my future. It wasn’t until my placement year during my physics degree that I realised I could legitimately have a career in science. Until then I had intended to become a science teacher.

The basic programme involves five talks from scientists at the cutting-edge and then two or three sessions from an experienced examiner on exams tips.

I found myself working alongside such luminaries as Lord Robert Winston, Professor Richard Dawkins, Dr Ben Goldacre, Professor Jim Al Khalili, and Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) Science and Society fellow Dr Maggie Aderin. It is certainly a privilege for me to be part of such an amazing scheme.

Back in December 2008, when we performed our first show at Westminster Hall in London, I could not have imagined how quickly this scheme would take off.

It rapidly expanded to events all round the country. It is certainly an amazing experience to walk out on a large stage usually reserved for rock bands or stage shows, and deliver an entertaining talk to 1,000 or more 15 and 16 year-olds. Their reactions are fantastic and unexpected. I have never been cheered or clapped so much and the quality of their questions were inspiring.

It is not just the pupils who benefit here — participating in such activities means I get to have a dialogue with young people about my research. Research can be very focused at times and taking part in these outreach schemes helps me to keep the wider picture.

I have been talking to the pupils about my research on making miniature stars in the laboratory using very powerful lasers.

The idea is to recreate the power source of the sun — fusion — as an abundant energy source for the future. Fusion is the fusing together of two atoms which produces a net release of energy.

So far, The Science Live! scheme has been a success. Sometimes I take the time after my talk to sit in the audience and absorb the atmosphere. I often get very positive comments from pupils and teachers alike.

One teacher who recently attended a Science Live! event said: “It was an excellent opportunity for both myself and my pupils. We were greatly inspired by all the respected speakers and it definitely made a great difference to pupils’ learning.”

After having toured round the country, performing in many famous halls such as Birmingham and Manchester symphony halls, Colston Hall in Bristol, and De Montfort Hall in Leicester, it was an absolute pleasure to perform to the home crowd in Oxford.

The audience was in good spirits and full of questions for all the scientists who performed that day on topics ranging from optical illusions and evolution to space travel and time travel. I certainly think the diverse range of topics got the audience thinking about the endless possibilities of science and how it can impact their everyday lives.

I hope that my talk reached the audience and showed them that there is a huge amount of cutting edge science and technology on their doorsteps here in Oxfordshire.

GCSE Science Live! is one of many initiatives carried out across the country with the aim of encouraging young people to take up careers in science and engineering.

STFC's own Science in Society programme also runs a number of schemes which come under this area, mainly aimed at young people aged between 11 and 16. (GCSE Science Live! itself, while featuring STFC scientists, is not an STFC programme).

Schools regularly come on site for workshops, tours and talks and some scientists offer talks and practical workshops at school, giving students a chance to pick up skills and advice first hand. STFC also runs an annual Particle Physics Masterclass — last year 500 16-18 year-olds made the trip to the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory for the March event and 70 per cent said the class inspired them to take up a career in particle physics. The next event will take place from March 17-19, and most places are already filled.

More recently, the Science in Society programme hosted the Engineering Education Scheme, which runs from September to April each year. Local engineers support a team of five or six A-Level students to complete a genuine engineering problem for their company. As well as supporting two school teams*, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory also plays host at the launch in September, the celebration event in May, and to a three-day intensive residential workshop for the students which last year took place on December 16–18.

Jo Lewis, Senior Manager for Education and Public Outreach at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, said: “We were thrilled to host the Engineering Education Scheme workshops again this year. With 11 teams of enthusiastic students on site there was an amazing atmosphere of creativity and problem-solving, and all the students worked incredibly hard, with their engineer mentors, to tackle the problem that had been set for them. “We look forward to welcoming them back and seeing their finished projects in April 2010,” she added.

More information on the GSCE Science Live! programme can be found at http://gcsesciencelive.net/

For more information on STFC's Science and Society programme visit: http://www.stfc.ac.uk/PandS/SinS/AimObj/ aims.aspx