Blog
“I really enjoy having the opportunity to talk about a subject that I’m truly passionate about and share that passion with like-minded people.”
In this blog, Robert Kennedy, undergraduate in MEng Electrical and Electronic Engineering at the University of Nottingham, and UKESF Project Engineer, shares his experience of participating in outreach activities, and what he has learned from taking part…
- What outreach activities have you been involved in as a scholar?
During my time as a UKESF scholar, I have been involved in a range of different outreach activities and experiences. This has included running stands at university open days and other exhibitions and supporting at events. It has allowed me to travel to different places across the UK and talk with a range of audiences, from school children to teachers to experienced engineers.
I have also presented at conferences and events both in person and online. Last year I presented at the Association for Science Education Annual Conference which was an amazing opportunity as it gave me the chance to showcase some of the amazing work that UKESF does and the programmes that we deliver. I also have enjoyed helping run online sessions, supporting teachers to use the UKESF Electronics equipment confidently in their classroom.
- How can scholars prepare for outreach activities to make sure they’re impactful on the audience?
Scholars can prepare by planning ahead. It’s really important to think about who your audience is, what’s the main message you are trying to deliver, and what you would like the audience to take away and remember from the interaction. Outreach can take many forms, such as activities, presentations or simply discussions – so your preparation might involve producing a visual ppt template, making notes of real-life applications of the activity, or producing interesting talking points that you can draw upon.
Reflect on your own experiences and consider the key talking points that could help bring your message to life. Particularly if you’re speaking to younger audiences, it’s helpful to think about whether one of your experiences might engage them – have you run a cool project, or learned an interesting fact, or do you want to share an exciting opportunity that helped you? It can also be useful to think back to presentations or outreach activities you have delivered in the past and identify what worked well, so that you can build on those strengths. Taking the time to prepare in this way can help you feel more confident and ensure that your outreach is engaging, relevant, and impactful for your audience.
- What skills have you developed through outreach work?
The main skill I have developed has been being able to connect with audiences regardless of their age, gender or experience level. I have grown more confident at speaking and presenting publicly. I have really enjoyed working as part of a team with others involved in outreach, it is a great way to share experiences and learn new skills.
- What do you find most rewarding about participating in outreach?
I really enjoy having the opportunity to talk about a subject that I’m truly passionate about and share that passion with like-minded people. It feels really rewarding that I might create that spark of interest in someone else or give someone the courage to give Electronics a try. Outreach is never really a day-to-day activity so it’s nice to experience so much variety and learn so many different skills.
- What impact do you think outreach can have on young people considering STEM careers?
Young people are always looking for people who can give them a personal insight into a career or help them learn something new that they wouldn’t normally discover from a website. Outreach provides an opportunity for them to ask interesting questions, hear about real experiences, and get hands-on with resources and activities. It can help make STEM careers feel more accessible and relatable, while also showing the wide range of opportunities available.
- What advice would you give to someone who would like to participate in outreach for the first time? Who might be nervous or unsure of how to get started?
Put yourself out there and find what works for you. Everyone has different strengths, and there are many ways to get involved in outreach. If someone asks you a question that you’re not fully certain of, don’t be afraid to reach out to someone else who might know the answer or offer to get back to them later. Remember that you don’t need to know everything to make a positive impact. Being approachable, enthusiastic, and willing to share your experiences can be just as valuable as having all the answers.
Find out more about participating in outreach activities here
