Volunteering outreach in science and engineering
Manchester has a very large population of school-age children, yet despite the city’s wealth of opportunities, many pupils – particularly those in under-privileged areas – still lack access to meaningful STEM opportunities. Existing programmes can be costly or require significant time commitments from schools, creating barriers that limit participation. At the same time, engineering-based disciplines often remain a mystery to younger students; the word engineering rarely appears in their curriculum, leading to misconceptions about what engineers do. It is therefore vital to introduce engineering early, break down stereotypes, and inspire students who may one day pursue these fields.
The University’s The Volunteering Outreach in Science and Engineering (VOISE) Society is a social responsibility initiative dedicated to making STEM accessible, exciting, and inclusive for all. VOISE deliver engaging, engineering-focused outreach activities both on the Univesity campus and in local schools, working closely with the Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE) outreach team.Their primary focus is on schools within the widening participation scheme, ensuring students from underrepresented backgrounds have the opportunity to explore diverse STEM pathways. These experiences aim to spark curiosity, build confidence, and showcase possibilities that students may not have otherwise been fortunate to encounter, fostering greater interest and aspirations in STEM fields.
During the year, VOISE ran 23 workshops, including specific events for women in STEM and neurodiverse students, reaching over 800 students in total.
VOISE remarks they are so proud of this figure – it took a lot of work, but was worth every second: “As part of this we formed new partnerships with 11 local primary schools, and developed a brand new ‘Monster Truck’ themed car building workshop. We always ask students at the end of workshops if they enjoyed it more than they expected, and the response to this is positive around 70-80% of the time.”
The initiative received a University of Manchester Making a Difference Award for its outstanding contribution to widening access and student success.
When asked about winning a Making a Difference Award, Amelie Coy said: “Our desire in growing the outreach of VOISE goes far beyond recognition and awards and is often self-fulfilling when you see such positive reactions from children and teachers we work with. However, the award provides us with motivation to continue growing, with the knowledge that our hard work really does ‘make a difference’. We also hope to foster more collaborations with University and external partners as a result of winning the award.”
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