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Welcome to Destination STEM

Destination STEM provides support, advice, and opportunities to help you explore pathways into STEM careers, develop your STEM skills, and connect you with STEM employers. Explore our pages to find out more.

About Destination STEM

How can a mentor help you?

two girls in a college library, laughing while using the computer

Learn more about how our mentors can help you make decisions about life after school

Research Placements & Experiences

Do one of our research placements to gain real-life workplace experience in the STEM sector.

Learn more

Discover a career in computer science

Connect computer science topics to the world of work with our new videos. Watch a Computing Ambassador introduce a topic and share what they do in their day-to-day job.

The career of an astrodynamicist

Astrodynamicist, Dr Nicola Baresi, discusses in an interview what inspired him to pursue his career, his current projects, and the best part about his job.

Catching comets: How we study the solar system’s most intrepid travellers

Image of comet - with illustrations of sparkles

Comets are icy remnants from an ancient solar system, and the space age unlocked new possibilities to study them up close. What have we learnt?

Motorsports at DHL, Tools for a Successful Future

There is much to be learnt from the high-speed world of motorsports – the principles of efficiency, collaboration, and cutting-edge technology on the racetrack can revolutionise the way we approach learning.

From Logistical Problems to Customer Interfaces: the technology career making a difference

Shantel Tanyanyiwa discussed her career as a Technology Change Manager at Asda.

Why study maths?

student solving maths problem on whiteboard

Maths is the language of logic and the tool of creativity. It is an essential and exciting field that connects other areas of science, technology, engineering, and arts.

How will tomorrow’s lithium-ion batteries be better than todays?

With lots of battery-powered vehicles on the roads, there are though, a few problems with batteries. If they could be used for longer, reused and recycled and made from less rare materials, their environmental and monetary cost to us would be less.

To climate change or not?

Green trees surrounding pond in sunlight

No one would dispute that climate change is one of the biggest threats that we all face over the forthcoming generations, or would we?

Iron woman: searching for iron at the end of the earth

Have you ever considered the importance of iron? I have – I’m interested in the iron contained in glacial sediments, and how this iron can help to feed the world’s ocean and lock away atmospheric CO2

Save the world – the best way you know how

Independent Filmmaker Andy Clark tells us how he wound up making films to change the world, and shares his advice on using your natural talents to follow your dreams.

How do you deal with 20 million tonnes of suffocating seaweed?

Seaweed is causing havoc in our oceans. Together, scientists from Mexico and the UK are working hard to find inventive solutions to the seaweed which washes onto shores every summer in the Caribbean.

Why study biology?

Female student in biology class raising hand to answer question

Learn about how biology lets you explore the wonders of nature and the secrets of life.

Why study chemistry?

Students in chemistry lab, titration experiment

Find out why you should study chemistry - it's more than just mixing chemicals in a lab!

Valiant Vaccines Vanquish Viruses

Happy man with a plaster on his arm after receiving a vaccination

Find out what technologies are involved in producing vaccines and the future of vaccine development.

What are teeth made up of and how does this affect our smile?

Dentist holds dentures in her hands, smiling

There is a lot of research on how smiling boosts your confidence, and makes you feel happy, confident and in control. Learn more about the science behind teeth.

Zero Emission Energy From the Heat Beneath Our Feet

Green mangrove forest that captures carbon monoxide

What if there was a source of energy that could be accessed anywhere in the world to generate heating, cooling, or electricity – that was low cost, zero emissions, and always available?

It’s not rocket science! Or is it?

Mission STS-1 on Space Shuttle Columbia launched from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center

Rocket design is vital to the success of a space mission. Read about how maths skills are critical to the process.

The world needs computer scientists

Our dedicated website will support you through your GCSE and A Levels to achieve a better exam result!

Improve your skills and careers knowledge with Research Placements and Experiences

Uncovering the past – inside the life of a burgeoning student scientist

Female student studying medical anatomy in university lab using anatomical tool of human head

Every scientist is different, but all have similar goals to push the boundaries of science and uncover exciting evidence and solutions. Jess opens the door on her goal to uncover how the past can help provide solutions for the future.

Get the help you need to learn about life after school with a free online mentor.

Online Mentoring: Information for guardians

Find out more about how you can support young people to have a FREE mentor to support their next steps after school.

How to develop the skills employers are looking for

This FREE poster shows you the top 10 skills that employer's value and how to develop them.

What do superheroes have to do with studying science at school?

TV camera in professional chroma studio, green screen backdrop

Did you know that the last 10 visual effects (VFX) Oscars were won by companies that were founded in the UK? Or that your favourite Marvel superheroes were created here? Find out more in this article.

How studying plant biology and ecology will help us to build a sustainable suture

5 stages of seedlings growing from breakthrough to first true leaves

What can we do about a growing human population, increasing demand for food, a shrinking supply of resources, and perhaps most importantly the threat of climate change? Understanding plant biology and ecology is now more important than ever before.

Malaria and the future of mosquito control

Malaria is a life-threatening disease transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes that affects millions of people worldwide. Here we provide an insight into global malaria importance and mosquito control, focusing on strategies based on genetic approaches.

Investigating the sleeping state in bacteria

An agar plate with streaks of bacteria held by a gloved hand

Bacteria are tiny microorganisms that have amazing strategies to cause disease and survive in their environments. They need nutrients, the right amount of oxygen, light and temperature to survive but what happens when their environment changes?

Fire and the crazy world of air around us

Illustration of 6 windows with people in each window

Wouldn’t a nice crackling fire in your home be lovely through the winter? Maybe some scented candles or incense to relax with, too. You might be looking forward to a good fry-up. You may think differently when you finish this article!

Seeing inside the earth

Have you ever wondered what’s going on deep inside the Earth, 100’s km beneath your feet? This article looks at how geoscientists see inside our planet, cutting-edge research and what implications the Earth’s internal dynamics have for us

Vaccines, biotherapeutics and… cellular meat?!

Image of packages beef, packaging reads 'Cultured Meat: meat produced by in vitro cell culture of animal cells. Cruelty free, safe, healthy, environmentally friendly. Lab-grown beef. Eat meat with a clear conscience.'

From messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, or a revolutionary treatment to combat Crohn’s disease to animal-based products created through cellular agriculture for human consumption, CPI does it all!

Tissue engineering: how it allows us to build organs in the laboratory

Tissue engineering has the huge potential to resolve specific medical needs, like creating organs for transplantation. But how can we create organs in the laboratory? Learn about the technologies in the development of artificial human tissues.

Discover employer career pathways

Young woman sitting at a table with a modern laptop and smiling

Visit 25 national employers offering career pathways into STEM at this virtual careers fair.

Apprenticeships: virtual careers fair

Explore virtual stands showcasing STEM organisations offering apprenticeships

Visit our virtual 'Life after school' careers fair

Young woman on laptop, smiling, with headphones on

Take a tour of the virtual careers fair and discover a wide range of employers that can support you with life after school.

Visit our virtual climate change careers fair

Group of people litter picking outdoors, the sun in shining and they are all smiling while talking

Tour the virtual careers fair of organisations who are adapting to the challenges of climate change

How will you change the world?

Young woman using digital tablet while working in a field

This resource will help you to explore the daily working life of the people who are in green careers.

Find your ideal green career

Scenic view of windmills scattered across the hills on a coastline

Articles, interviews and ideas to help you choose your future green career

Discover careers in space

Watch our collection of videos to find out more about jobs in the space sector

Discover cutting edge research and development in STEM

Female scientist in lab coat with microscope, happy, smiling at camera

Hear from STEM professionals about cutting edge research and development that is taking place in STEM!

10 ways to find your STEM career

This FREE poster helps you see how your experience in and out of lessons will support your career journey

De-carbonising Ammonia: alternatives to the Haber Bosch process?

Image of chemical composition of ammonium

Ammonia is an extremely valuable commodity used in a huge range of commercial products from cleaning agents to plastics production to refrigerants and to nitrate fertilizers. Ammonia is produced industrially on a vast scale.

Am I eligible for a placement?

Our placements support students who need it most. Use our eligibility tool to find out if our placements are right for you.

What placement is right for me?

Research Placements and Experiences, student smiling at viewer

Choose from a two-week research placement or a five-day experience, depending on what suits you. Research Placements and Experiences both allow you to develop skills and knowledge you have learned in education. Learn more about the difference here.

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National STEM Learning Centre, University of York, York YO10 5DD. 01904 328300