Volume 2 - Number 2 - Final Year School Projects: The Bristol ChemLabs Use of the Undergraduate Ambassador Scheme

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Putri

The article describes how University of Bristol chemistry undergraduates use the Undergraduate Ambassador Scheme during final-year study to work in local primary and secondary schools on chemistry and chemical education challenges. Students gain transferable employability skills and supervised school experience while earning degree credit. The programme supports career paths toward effective postgraduate teacher training, while schools receive enthusiastic science role models, classroom assistance, and opportunities to design and run new projects, strengthening university links with neighboring schools.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages6

Reading Time15 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Undergraduate Ambassador Scheme overview

Bristol School of Chemistry programme structure

Rationale for schools projects and teaching career support

Support mechanisms and training activities

Volume 2, Number 2, 2009 FINAL YEAR SCHOOL PROJECTS: THE BRISTOL CHEMLABS USE OF THE UNDERGRADUATE AMBASSADOR SCHEME Timothy G. Harrison, David M. Smith and Dudley E. Shallcross Abstract: As part of the final year of their undergraduate degree programmes, some chemistry students at the University of Bristol spend time in local primary or secondary schools working on chemistry or chemical education problems. All partners gain from this programme. The students develop many of the transferable skills required by employers in all sectors. The scheme also provides them with the chance to gain some experience of working in schools, at the same time as acquiring credit as part of their degree programme. Many of the participating students go on to postgraduate teacher training courses and become committed and effective teachers. The schools benefit from having young enthusiastic science role models, assistance in the classroom and an opportunity to develop and run new projects. The scheme also helps the university department develop better links with neighbouring schools. Zusammenfassung: Als Teil in des abschließenden Jahr haben in meistens Universitätsprogramme, einige Chemiekursteilnehmer an der Universität von Bristol, haben Zeit verbracht in den lokalen Primär- oder Weiterbildenden Schulen , die mit Chemie- oder Chemikalien- Ausbildungsprogramme arbeiten. Alle Partner sind gewonnen von diesem Programm. Die Kursteilnehmer präsentieren viele der übertragbaren Fähigkeiten, die von den Arbeitgebern in allen Sektoren benötigt werden. Der Entwurf versieht sich auch mit der Wahrscheinlichkeit, etwas Erfahrung des Arbeiter in den Schulen zu gewinnen, im Praktikum, als Teil ihres Universitätsprogramms zu erwerben. Viele der Kursteilnehmer gehen zu den fortgeschrittenen Ausbildung oder andere Lehrerkursen um zu einen wirkungsvoller Lehrer zu werden. Die Schulen profitieren vom jungen enthusiastischen Wissenschaften, es spielt aber auch eine wichtige Rolle im Klassenzimmer und ermöglicht die Gelegenheit neue Projekte zu entwickeln. Der Entwurf hilft auch in dem Fachbereich bessere Verbindungen mit benachbarten Schulen zu entwickeln. Key words: Undergraduate Ambassador Scheme, Chemistry, School Teacher Fellow, Outreach 1. Introduction The UAS (Undergraduate Ambassador Scheme) [1, 2] was set up in 2002 as a response to both the shortage in the UK of science, technology and mathematics subject teachers and the fall in applications to universities in these key areas [ibid] . Central to the scheme is the ideal that undergraduates, schools, and universities should all benefit from their involvement. The UAS originated in Mathematics and Physics departments with 28 undergraduates from four university departments participating in 2002. In January 2009, the number of students has risen, so that the scheme now encompasses students from 123 departments within 44 British and Irish universities. The subject areas now include Biology, Computer Sciences, Chemistry, Electronics, Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Food Sciences, Geography, Geology, Modern Languages, Music, Oceanography, Plant Sciences and Sports Sciences [3] . Amongst the current participants are 16 UK Chemistry departments. UAS is operated by Undergraduate Ambassadors Limited, an independent not-for-profit organisation. This scheme is endorsed by the Royal Society of Chemistry, Institute of Physics, London Mathematical Society, the Institution of Structural Engineers, The Royal Society, the Institute of Received 23 February 2009, accepted 29 April 2009, published 24 June 2009 Materials, Minerals and Mining and the Institute of Marine Engineering amongst others, the professional bodies for many of these subjects The School of Chemistry at the University of Bristol has been involved in this scheme for three years. Annually, groups of 5–7 final-year students have opted and been selected for the ‘schools project’ in place of their traditional laboratory-based research p

FAQs

What is the Undergraduate Ambassador Scheme and when was it set up?

The scheme was set up in 2002 to address the shortage of science, technology and mathematics subject teachers and declining applications to universities in these areas.

How do Bristol chemistry undergraduates participate during their final year?

Final-year students opt for the schools project instead of a traditional laboratory-based research project, working in local primary or secondary schools on chemistry or chemical education problems.

What benefits does the programme provide for schools?

Schools benefit from young enthusiastic science role models, assistance in classroom activities, and opportunities to develop and run new projects.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Putri