I work as a science teacher at Cheadle Hulme High School, where we are running a program with some of our pupils called the ‘3 Minute Thesis Competition’. It’s something we completed for the first time last year, and it was so successful we would like to run it again, but we need some help!

The aim of the project is to have our pupils engaging with an area of scientific research, through the help of a current PhD student. Last year we had PhD students come in to school, to speak to our young people about the research they are currently completing. Our students then took this information and devised a 3MT style presentation, that they performed at the end of the school year in front of an audience.

We need more PhD students this year to get involved. PhD students would only be required as a minimum to physically come into school once, in order to meet our students. They would then need to offer support via e-mail if the pupils had any questions.

Dates are yet to be confirmed, as it depends on a best fit time for all the PhD students availability, but it would entail each pupil being able to visit the school a minimum of one time. This would be when they would meet our pupils, and in small groups, they would explain what they are researching as part of their PhD. Our pupils would then work with the PhD students, to develop a 3 minute presentation (3 Minute Thesis style), explaining their PhD. Our pupils are not allowed to use moving powerpoint slides etc., just like PhD students wouldn’t be able to in a 3MT presentation.

The location is Cheadle Hulme High School, Woods Lane, Stockport, SK8 7JY.

Please get in contact with Toya Stokes (toya.stokes@chhs.org.uk) if you would like to find out more about this opportunity.