When students take part in genuine research, they build confidence and develop valuable skills so they are ready for life beyond the classroom. We're working towards a future where every young person experiences real research. #STEMEducation #AuthenticResearch

We're pleased to be recognised in @royalsociety.org's recent Science for Society report as an example of enquiry-based science education in action. When young people take part in real research, they build skills and confidence and see themselves as scientists. Let's build on what works.

We are very sorry to share that the IRIS London Student Research Conference due to take place on Thursday 25 June 2026 is cancelled. All confirmed attendees have been notified and you can read the full update on our website: https://researchinschools.org/2026-london-conference-cancelled/

Thank you to everyone that joined us at our first two #conferences in Manchester and Exeter! We’ve had a brilliant time learning about all sorts of research projects, from the impact of global warming on microorganisms to investigating different hand-drying methods in school. 📍 Next stop – London.

An amazing first conference in Manchester 🤩 Students shared their research with others, building connections and confidence. We’ve seen and heard so many impressive posters and conversations – thank you for joining us! 📍 Next stop – Exeter. #Conferences

We’re in Manchester for the first IRIS conference of the year! These #conferences give students the opportunity to share their amazing research with peers from other schools and the wider academic community. Director Jo Foster shares her warm welcome 📷 #STEM #StudentResearch

We’re looking forward to welcoming students and teachers from across the UK next week! With around 800 young researchers joining us in three different cities, its gearing up to be our biggest conference season yet. Here are some throwbacks to last year’s conferences!

Our Carbon Researchers project empowers students to tackle the climate crisis in their own schools. A group of students from Swanwick Hall School looked at reducing their paper use as a starting point in helping their school become net zero. #WorldEnvironmentDay

Dr Neil Garrido, one of IRIS’ Regional School Engagement Leads has had an article published in the Journal of Chemistry Education! 🎉📚 It explores how providing authentic research opportunities can have a positive impact on students, focusing on one of our IRIS projects: DNA Origami.

🎬 Behind the scenes We’ve been doing lots of filming in May – checking in with schools, preparing for a new project and working on our Getting Started with Research videos! #ResearchInSchools #STEMEducation #IRISProjects

“It didn't just teach me about science; it also taught me about teamwork and how to pose and create my own research questions.” Student-led research projects don't just deliver and consolidate knowledge. They also build skills in ways that the current curriculum alone cannot.

IRIS projects are cross-curricular, spanning subjects from geography to computer science. 🌍💻 Many schools use #IRISProjects to enrich student’s learning by taking part in authentic research. Explore our projects: https://researchinschools.org/projects/

Designed in collaboration with @rsc.org and the Queen’s University Belfast, our #GreenerFragrances project introduces students to the use of chemistry in improving industrial practices. It plays an important role in sustainability and helps reduce their impact on the environment.

We’re busy preparing for conference season! Last year, nearly 700 students attended conferences in Exeter, Manchester and London, sharing 243 research posters. 💡 94% students felt inspired about STEM careers 🫶 100% teachers rated conferences as good/very good

From classroom learning to real-world impact 🌍 Year 8 students from The King's Academy took part in our Wild Things project, looking at whether bug hotels could increase biodiversity at their school. Students doing IRIS projects don’t just learn about science, they become researchers.

We have linked up with @britsciassoc.bsky.social so that eligible schools can submit their IRIS projects for a free CREST Award! More information on CREST Awards: https://www.crestawards.org/secondary-further-education/ Teachers can send us a message for info on how to submit an IRIS project.

🔬 Definition: Science Identity Science identity is how someone connects with science & its community. Engaging in real research at school helps students see themselves as scientists. Take a look at our glossary to explore more definitions of key terms: researchinschools.org/iris-glossary/

We asked students and teachers about the impact of our Research and Innovation Framework pilot: 🧬 "Anyone can do science and be a scientist" ⬆7.1% 👨‍🔬 "People like me work in STEM" ⬆13.9% 🚏 "I know more about the different routes into a STEM career" ⬆23.2%

Young people can use real satellite data to track environmental change 🌍 Previous students on this project looked at how pollution affected toxic algae growth. Explore satellite science in your school: https://researchinschools.org/projects/earth-observation #EarthDay #IRISProjects #EduSky

We asked students who had done a research project about their journey. ⭐️ 87% said research can be hard but is rewarding 🧩 78% reported stronger problem-solving skills ✍️ 81.6% rated their planning skills as good/very good Read our skills blog: https://researchinschools.org/building-skills-for-life

Do you or your students have a great idea for research that requires microscopic investigations? Students from Liverpool Life Sciences UTC previously looked at why some people are bitten by insects more than others. Thanks to our partners for this incredible opportunity for so many schools.

We asked students and teachers about the impact of IRIS projects on students’ attitude towards STEM careers: 💡 "I know what it is like to work in STEM" ⬆73% 🌳 "Students more aware of jobs and careers in STEM" ⬆96% 🫶 "Students more aware of diversity in STEM" ⬆94%

A third of young people are losing interest in #Science. What can we do about it? Our Head of Education Innovation, Georgie Lott, shares her thoughts. researchinschools.org/public-attitudes-science-young-people/ @ipsosintheuk.bsky.social @@britsciassoc.bsky.social@u@ukri.org#Science#Education #STEM

Without the chance to apply what they have learnt to real questions, students often don’t develop the capabilities they need to excel in STEM after school.

Using our expertise and own research on what works in the classroom, we are developing new free resources that teachers can use to implement research in any school, with any group of students in the UK, regardless of starting point.

Real research that strengthens real skills. Last year, students at Limavady Grammar School explored an interest close to their hearts - reducing pollution in Lough Neagh, the largest lake in the UK. Students designed their own research question, boosting technical and transferable skills.

What does science capital mean? How do we define authentic science? Our new glossary explains the key terms used in student-led research and innovation in schools. https://researchinschools.org/iris-glossary

Students doing the Big Data: ATLAS project recently visited the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, taking part in a masterclass with Science and Technology Facilities Council. Students had a tour of cutting-edge facilities, and discussed their research with particle physicists from RAL and @ox.ac.uk.

Do you or your students have a great idea for research that requires microscopic investigations? Apply by 1 May to borrow a scanning electron microscope (SEM) for half a term from autumn 2026. Thanks to our partners for this incredible opportunity for so many schools.

Student-led research builds skills for life. Our skills tracker shows technical and transferable skills that students can gain in each project, including problem solving and creativity.👇 https://researchinschools.org/skills-tracker/?utm_source=socials&utm_medium=static&utm_campaign=Skills_Tracker

Student-led research builds skills for life. We surveyed students after they had completed a project: 📘 89.2% students had improvement in research skills 📝 Stronger speaking (84.6%), listening (84%) and creativity (79.6%) skills 📈 Huge increase in adapting, leadership and teamwork #BuildingSkills

We all start out as scientists. @britsciassoc.bsky.social asks “Curiosity: what’s your question?” When young people have the chance to take part in authentic research they gain confidence, problem-solving skills, and see themselves as scientists. Let's encourage bold questions. #BSW26!

Using our expertise and own research on what works in the classroom, we are developing new free resources that teachers can use to put research into practice any school, with any group of students in the UK, regardless of starting point. #EduSky #Education #Schools

Students explore local biodiversity in our Wild Things project, from encouraging new bird species to planting flora, making an immediate difference to their school grounds. Bring wildlife research into your classroom 👇 🌿 https://researchinschools.org/projects/wild-things #WorldWildlifeDay

We want to change the culture of UK education so that every young person can take part in authentic research in school. In 2026, we’re continuing our work with schools and partners to make it a reality. Let's make it happen. #STEM #ResearchinSchools #STEMEducation

Student-led research brings fresh ideas and perspectives to challenges in the real world. Interested in partnering with us, or working on something you think students would like to get involved in? Get in touch! 👇 https://researchinschools.org/get-involved/ #Education #Research #STEM

This week we ran a masterclass for our latest pilot project: Multi-Messenger. Partnered with the University of Portsmouth and GOTO Observatory, students will explore multi-messenger astronomy, a field that combines electromagnetic observations with data from gravitational wave detectors.

When students take part in real research they build stronger, more positive connections to STEM.

School research that opens doors.🚪 Dhara Mistry took part in our Ionic Liquids project while at Dixons Sixth Form Academy in Bradford. She is now working as an apprentice in Laboratory Sciences at Unilever, and we invited her to join our guest panel at the Manchester conference last year.

We asked students and teachers about the impact of IRIS projects on students’ transferable skills like listening, speaking and problem solving. 🫶 85% of students said they got better at sharing ideas with others 💪 87% of students said research can be hard work but is rewarding

Authentic research with real impact. In 2024, the British Antarctic Survey found 4 new penguin colonies using a method inspired by students from Stirling High, lighting up penguin poo in satellite images. Their work - and new research by students in Cornwall - is helping track penguin colony size.

We asked students and teachers about the impact of our Research and Innovation Framework pilot project: 🧬 "Anyone can do science and be a scientist" ⬆7% 👨‍🔬 "People like me work in STEM" ⬆14% 🚏 "I know more about the different routes into a STEM career" ⬆23%

🧪 Definition: Authentic science Authentic science means giving students experiences that feel like 'real science', and mirror the work carried out by scientists. When students do research that feels authentic, they can see themselves as scientists and develop an identity in the world of science.

Dr Jo Foster, Director of IRIS, is leading a panel with Prof Louise Archer, @ucl.ac.uk and Dr @aimafidon.bsky.social, CEO Stemettes, on working together to improve science education at @theASE today. STEM needs a reset - how do we make science equitable & engaging for all? #ASEConf2026

Anne O’Leary & Kelly Murfet share practical ways to support students doing real research and help teachers deliver with confidence at the #ASEConf2026 in Nottingham today. Let’s keep building a culture of research in schools

Welcome back and happy 2026 🎉 We’re looking ahead to conference season already! If you are interested in bringing students to conference please register for a project by Friday 30 January.

Wishing all our partners, supporters and friends a very Merry Christmas! See you all in the new year 🎉

Vacancy: Head of Research & Evaluation. Lead research and evaluation on the impact of our work with schools and students. 📍Home-based with occasional UK travel 📌 £52,496, 10% pension, 30 days leave plus public holidays 👇 Apply by 13/01/26, 12 noon: https://researchinschools.org/current-vacancies/

After taking part in an IRIS student research project... 💡100% of teachers told us their students have a greater understanding of the real-world applications of STEM 🧪 98% of their students are more engaged in STEM subjects 🌏 100% said it increased students' science capital

@tiffingirlssch.bsky.social took home the School Impact Award at the IRIS Awards evening for embedding a culture of research. The school ran not one, not two, but seven projects across four subject areas, bringing real research into the hands of over 80 students! #IRISAwards2025