STEM Smart programme

[RueDeWakening]

DD has been picked to take part in the Isaac Physics/Cambridge STEM Smart programme next year (starts January). She's saying she isn't sure about doing it because she doesn't know what to expect. She's searched, looked on Student Room etc but can't find much info. She's probably ND and is struggling with the uncertainty and lack of detailed info.

Can anyone help? Has anyones DC taken part before? What sort of time commitment did they find it, was it useful, what were the classes/mentors like? There's an intro meeting online on 6/1, does this go through all the above? (I strongly suspect it will!)

She wants to do (astro)physics at uni, currently y12.

Thanks.

Hi, OP -

I am not who you are asking; I am a former Russell Group STEM admissions tutor. I’m just here to say that the programme looks really good! I hope your DD will at least attend the online meeting. This is based on what I’ve heard over the last year and a half or more.

It does seem that invitations to the summer residential are based on engagement - effort - during the first stage of the programme. My impression is that the work is meant to be challenging , so engaging may well mean asking for help, turning in partial solutions, etc. In other words, it could be difficult for a perfectionist. I don’t know if your DD tends that was but I know a number of ND students who do.

She must be very able, because Cambridge is encouraging and supporting these pupils to apply to the top universities. That’s fabulous, except it is bad for perfectionists: science, certainly astrophysics (a wonderful subject) in these places is meant to be difficult and perfection is off the table. 80% marks is excellent.

Again, I have no idea whether this is an issue for your DD. As it sounds like she has excellent potential I just wouldn’t want this to trip her up. Please excuse me if this caution was unnecessary. Best wishes

My DC have taken part in a different Uni program which they really enjoyed and got a lot from. It wasn't a subject either of them were going to eventually pursue (medicine) and Covid disrupted it but it was very interesting and informative.

It fizzled out a bit at the end for both of them and that was fine as there were no expectations to complete it plus as I said Covid disrupted much of it.

Just convince your DD to participate to see what it's like and if it's not for her for whatever reason then it's ok to gracefully drop out.

No one will hold it against her.

We all need to give things a try especially when offered to us on a plate like this but it's ok if it's not for us.

Or there just isn't the time due to her normal workload.

This is an excellent way to face her fears and it's ok to swim or sink as there are no consequences. So really she can't sink just dip her toes in the water

Give it a go what's the worst that can happen

Absolutely nothing

Embrace the little opportunities life has to offer then decide if it's for you or not

Face the fear and do it anyway

these are all things I say or would say to my DC who would probably roll their eyes then think about it

This is super helpful, thank you so much! I agree, the programme looks fantastic from what we've been able to find out so far. DD tends towards perfectionism (art GCSE was very much the wrong choice!) but it's something both we and she are aware of. I'll share these responses with her, as you all say she really has nothing to lose.

Working on time management and executive function might need to be the next job