A A R
Laura Roberts
Picture of Laura JanesJob Title: First Campus STEM Coordinator
Based at: University of Glamorgan

Your Role

The aim of First Campus STEM is to encourage young people to study science in school and college beyond their GCSEs by providing them with information about science related degrees and careers, and raising their aspirations toward higher education.

Raising peoples’ awareness of the opportunities available in science related subjects is also part of the project’s aim within First Campus, working with people of all ages from Communities First areas, encouraging them to consider science as an option for further education and enjoyment.

Example of a typical event/ typical day at work
First Campus STEM events vary from school visits to debates. As First Campus STEM coordinator, I visit schools delivering interactive science careers workshops for GCSE pupils which involve a number of hands-on experiments.

Alternatively, an event such as ‘Chemistry at Work’ brings pupils on to the University campus where they attend interactive lectures from science academics.  The Hands on Science Debate gets pupils involved in heated discussions on the latest science related issues, while the Main Event, held at the National Museum in Cardiff, invited pupils to take part in a number of interactive and hands on science workshops covering everything from volcanoes to CPR. We also run a First CAmpus Residential which has four 'curses' covering physics, chemistry, engineering and biology.

Key Tasks
As the First Campus STEM coordinator I am responsible for organising all aspects of the STEM events, including transport, catering, inviting the schools and organising the presenters and facilities. I am also responsible for finding academics and workshop facilitators to present and develop workshops, and in doing so, building links with science organisations such as the Institute of Physics, The BA (British Association for the Advancement of Science) and the Royal Society of Chemistry.

Favourite part of your job
My favourite part of the job is getting involved with the workshops, experiments and activities and learning more and more about science!

You

Background
After studying GCSEs and A Levels in Chemistry, Maths and Physics at home in Derbyshire I went on to do a BSc in Physics and Medical Physics at Cardiff University. I went on to complete a PGCE in Secondary Science Education at Bristol University, and went on to teach Science at Duffryn High School in Newport for two years.

In April 2005 I joined the First Campus team at the University of Wales Newport as a schools officer where I developed a number of new events including the History event and the Board Game Challenge for primary schools. In February 2007 I moved to the University of Glamorgan to take up post as the Hands on Science project coordinator, this post has now developed into the First Campus STEM Coordinator role I hold now.

Other interests
When I have time I enjoy going to the cinema, going to see bands with friends, travelling, playing Sudoku and going to the gym.

Anything else you’d like to add
I gained a distinction in my MSc Communication Science while working full time at the Univesity of Glamorgan, and have recently passed my Menediad (entry level) Exam in Welsh.