Research & Innovation Framework

IRIS has supported over 7,700 young people across 10% of the UK’s secondary schools in carrying out real scientific research, contributing to knowledge today and solving the problems of tomorrow. We’ve seen first-hand how dynamic school cultures of research and innovation can transform students’ interests, engagement and aspirations in the STEM subjects—science, technology, engineering and maths.

Drawing on these experiences, our team created the STEM Research & Innovation Framework to help school leaders as they build strategies for launching cultures of research and innovation in their institutions. We’ve recently concluded a two-year pilot study, in which we supported a range of state schools across the country in using the framework. We are now using the evidence gathered over the course of the pilot, including over 3,000 student survey responses and interviews with teachers and senior leadership, to refine our guidance and resources.

As teachers ourselves, we understand that sparking students’ passions for their subjects can be challenging. We also know how important it is—for them, for our economy and for society as a whole—to ignite the ambitions of the next generation of scientists. We designed the framework with the goal of helping all kinds of schools foster research and innovation cultures, whatever their starting point. By sharing this framework, we hope that together we can make authentic research and innovation a part of every young person’s experience.

Do you want to inspire your students to pursue STEM careers and make a positive difference in the world?

Do you want to learn how to foster a culture of research and innovation in your school that engages learners of all abilities and backgrounds?

If so, please complete the following form. This will enable us to keep you up to date with the findings from our pilot study and let you know as soon as our new, revised STEM Research & Innovation Framework is ready to be launched.