New getting started with research resources coming soon

Our new ‘getting started’ resources will help teachers and inspire students to begin their research and innovation journey, regardless of starting point. These resources will work alongside existing teaching practices and curriculum recommendations, supporting teachers to create a culture of research and innovation, in any classroom in the UK. They will be free to download and available for anyone to use.

We’re looking forward to sharing them with you in the next school year. While some content is still being refined, you can sign up now to be the first to know when they’re live.

Let’s work together to make sure every young person in the UK can take part in real research and innovation at school.
 

At the heart of authentic science is research and innovation

The curriculum and assessment review highlighted the importance of young people studying more relevant and real-world applications of their subjects. This was highlighted as especially important in science, maths and computer science. At the heart of authentic science is research and innovation.

In our 2025/26 survey, 100% of teachers told us that their students had a greater understanding of the real-world applications of STEM after taking part in one of our IRIS research projects. 77% of students told us that they were more confident in their abilities in STEM.

Opportunities for all

 
Taking part in real research, with real world implications whilst at school can open doors, build transferable skills and unlock the potential for a career in STEM. We’ve seen first-hand how delivering science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) through the lens of R&I can transform young people’s understanding of STEM careers – particularly among girls. Imagine if every student had this opportunity? Too often, young people only discover the purpose of research much later, sometimes only at university. And it remains an issue that women, some ethnic minority groups, people with disabilities, and those from less advantaged backgrounds are underrepresented in STEM and research fields. This creates barriers and narrows perceptions of who can participate.

We’re committed to changing this. We want young people to see themselves as researchers and innovators, now.

We have decades of hands-on classroom experience within our team, and trusted partnerships across the scientific community. We have built an understanding of how to make student-led research work in the classroom, so that it’s relevant for our young people, realistic for our teachers and inspiring for both.