I have been looking into semi-conductor physics and fluid dynamics. - Olivia

The STEM placement students are sending us weekly blogs all about their experience in the world of work! 

Work experience is great and it provides students with many benefits whilst gaining skills and helping choose the right future career path for pupils. Having work experience on a Curriculum Vitae will make a person stand out to employers as they will notice they have motivation and a real passion for work. It will also help to boost a students confidence in themselves!

See how Olivia's getting on in her extended work placement! 

Week one - 

"This week has been mainly research. I have been looking into semi-conductor physics and fluid dynamics (surface tension, contact angle, etc.). I'm using this information to try and understand how an inkjet printer works; as next week, I will be operating one to print circuits onto a polymeric material. On Tuesday I met with the company which I'm carrying out the research for - Altro. We discussed the equipment I will be using and some possible issues involved with printing using the conductive inks that I will be working with." 

Week two - 

"This week, I have begun inkjet and screen printing. I printed with some silver nano-particle ink and then thermally cured it. Afterwards I looked at it under an optical microscope - here is one of the images: 


I also used a laser cutter to cut out an electrode pattern from different materials. I am writing up my report, mainly research and some methodology."

Week three - 

"This week, I have been screen printing with Carbon ink on my substrate. I have also carried out adhesion and resistance tests on the prints and sent them off to Altro for stress testing. 

I have almost finished my report. Next week I will be doing some additional prints and testing as well as getting my samples back and investigating the changes in conductivity."

                                                                                                                                                   - Olivia 

10 Reasons You Should Study STEM Subjects

SATRO’s vision is to inspire and enthuse young people about their future careers, by giving them as many possible glimpses into the working world throughout their journey through education – particularly in the STEM area (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths). So I’ve decided to compose a list of 10 reasons why we think you should be studying STEM subjects and here they are…

1. Young people with STEM qualifications are in demand in the job market and have good long term career prospects.

2. People with STEM skills can make a big contribution to many of the big challenges facing society today.

3. There are opportunities to work in various environments from field work to manufacturing plants, offices to labs, schools to hospitals, from deep oceans to outer space.

4. One of the great challenges of this time is the search for new energy resources. We have to lower our dependence on fossil fuels and find new renewable sources of energy, from wind to solar to wave power. Rising to this challenge is creating many new STEM based jobs for the future.

5. There is expected to be a 48% increase in demand for physical environmental science graduates in the next eight years.

6. There is a huge variety of exciting career paths open to people with STEM based skills.

7. People with STEM qualifications are very employable. Choosing STEM subjects opens up options later in life.

8. Chemistry and Physics graduates will earn on average over 30% more during their working lifetimes than other A-level holders.

9. Most science and engineering companies provide training opportunities and map out long term career paths.

10. There is a demand for people with STEM skills globally; careers can often include the opportunity for international travel.