🧪 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

We asked teachers who ran IRIS research projects last year what they thought about the experience: 🧬 100% said that doing an IRIS project raised the profile of STEM in school 👩‍🏫 92% told us that the experience enriched their working relationships with their students

A recent teacher wellbeing index from Education Support revealed that 76% of education staff are stressed and 1 in 3 are at risk of clinical depression. Nearly half say their workplace culture negatively affects their mental health. #CurriculumReview #STEM #Education #TeacherWellbeing

Did you know that over 10,000 young people have taken part in an IRIS research project since 2016? In the past year alone... 🕵️‍♂️1,809 students took part in IRIS projects 🏫 93 schools ran IRIS projects 🙋‍♀️ 53% students who took part were female #ImpactReport2025 #IRISProjects

During @senseaboutsci.bsky.social #EvidenceWeek we presented data on how a research-driven approach to STEM education can impact students’ skills, confidence and knowledge of the careers open to them. Thank you to all the MPs and peers who we spoke to us on the day.

Taking home the Best Research Skills Award at the #IRISAwards2025 was Woodford County High School for Girls for their excellent use of research skills as they carried out their project. Learn about all our winners and nominees https://researchinschools.org/iris-awards-2025/ 🏆 #BestResearchSkills

In our Impact Report 2025, we outline the effect student-led research has on the young people that take part. We are now seeking funders and partners to work towards bringing the benefits of authentic research to all young people. Join us in building the case for change.

We will continue to work alongside teachers, researchers and policymakers to ensure that real research opportunities are not an optional extra, but an integral part of a modern, world-class education. Full statement: https://researchinschools.org/curriculum-and-assessment-review/

We’ve in Westminster for #EvidenceWeek to deliver our policy brief: school students doing real research - data on how it affects STEM careers prospects. It's great to be here, especially on the same day as the #CurriculumReview @senseaboutsci.bsky.social#EvidenceWeek

Our Positive Impact award went to Callington Community College for two fantastic student-led projects. Learn about all our winners and nominees: https://researchinschools.org/iris-awards-2025/ 🏆 #IRISAwards2025 #PositiveImpact

Georgie and Anne are speaking at STEM North Online 2025, hosted by @ThinkUHI for the Highlands and Islands Strategic STEM Partnership. They’ll share why embedding research and innovation in education boosts science capital, confidence and career aspirations.

Victoria from The King’s Academy won Outstanding Teacher at the IRIS Awards 🏆 Learn about all our winners and nominees https://researchinschools.org/iris-awards-2025/ 🏆 #IRISAwards2025 #OutstandingTeacher

Since 2016 we have provided opportunities for thousands of young people to take part in real research and witnessed the transformative effect it can have on their lives. Catch up on the incredible progress so far in this year's #ImpactReport2025. ⭐️ https://researchinschools.org/impact-reports/

#IRISAwards2025 winners🏆👏 Best Key Stage 3 Research Project goes to St Wilfrid’s Catholic High School and Sixth Form College for their work on our newest project, Elephants on the Move. Learn about all our winners and nominees https://researchinschools.org/iris-awards-2025/ 🏆

The UK’s future depends on the young people in classrooms today. When students experience real research in school, they discover what STEM can do, opening up opportunities tomorrow.

Women make up just 26.1% of the UK manufacturing workforce. Georgie, our Head of Education Innovation, is at the The Ada Lovelace Day breakfast reception today, supported by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Lloyds Banking Group and Manufacturing Technology Centre exploring how to change that. #STEMCareers

Definition: Investigative Research Projects (IRPs) These are experiences which aim to be an accurate and authentic portrayal of science. This includes designing a research question, collecting and analysing data as well as reporting results. #STEM #Education #GlossaryIRIS

In our Cosmic Mining project students classify stellar objects using light data - contributing to a global astronomy catalogue! 🔭 👉 https://researchinschools.org/projects/cosmic-mining/ #WorldSpaceWeek #CosmicMining

👋 Did you know... #IRISprojects are cross-curricular, spanning subjects from geography to computer science 🌍💻 If you're a school that thinks outside of the box when it comes to providing STEM opportunities, visit our website and get involved! 🤝 https://researchinschools.org/projects/

🔬 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. #STEM #Education #GlossaryIRIS

Get your students involved in our new project - Elephants on the Move 🐘, a real-world conservation project using GPS data. Explore habitat loss, poaching and learn more about global challenges through science. 🌍 👉 https://researchinschools.org/projects/elephants-on-the-move/ #IRISProjects

Bring real research into your classroom. IRIS projects are free, flexible and designed for 11 - 18 year olds. 🌍🔬 Explore them all: https://researchinschools.org/projects #STEMProjects #IRISProjects #ScienceInSchools

📧 Have you received September's Month Ahead email? If you’ve registered interest in starting an IRIS project, check your inbox!

Teachers: Join a Welcome Back webinar! 📅 23 and 24 September ⏰ 4pm http://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/7e4ccf6f-5218-4371-94a1-33d913181ee8@d2f2dc32-3e33-4643-a7a2-1225e9076399 https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/fe11bb74-c502-4344-a62c-74eec7c97866@d2f2dc32-3e33-4643-a7a2-1225e9076399

Welcome back 🌼 A new academic year means new opportunities to explore, discover and innovate. Our student research projects are open for registration. They are free, and we’ll support you on your school’s journey into real-world STEM research. #BackToSchool #STEMeducation #ResearchInSchools

Thank you so much to all of the students, teachers, keynote speakers and guests that joined us in Exeter, Manchester and London for the biggest and best conference season yet! Read more about this year's conferences on our website: researchinschools.org/iris-student... #STEM #education

Young people at our conferences in Exeter and Manchester have built connections and confidence. Now is a great time to think about signing up to a project in the next academic year... 👀 See you tomorrow London! 🎉 #STEM #edusky #careers #research

Director Jo Foster is in Exeter for our first conference of the season! These are an opportunity for students to share their amazing research with peers and the wider academic community. We're so pleased to have you all with us in #Exeter, #Manchester and #London! 🚀 🎉 ⭐ #STEM #EduSky

According to government statistics, only one quarter of the STEM workforce are female. We're building the case for change. Learn more in our report: researchinschools.org/framework/

We piloted a new R&I approach in nine schools across England. The results were impressive. Imagine if every student in the had this opportunity. Read and share the report: researchinschools.org/framework/ #STEM #education #EduSky 🧪

We've seen first-hand that a culture of STEM research and innovation in schools transforms students’ experiences. Help us build a case for change, so that every young person in every school has access to high quality education. Read the R&I framework pilot report: researchinschools.org/framework/

“Just having the time to research at this age is amazing. Most students don’t experience it until university…It’s about giving them the chance to experience the bigger picture.” – chemistry teacher We want to change the culture in UK education so that every young person experiences real research.