Get involved
You can undertake a Youth STEMM Award at Bronze, Silver or Gold Level either independently or thorough a school or college from anywhere in the world. Fees include a quality medal, printed certificate and issue of a digital badge on completion.
Taking part through a school or college
The current participation fee is £25 for Bronze, £30 for Silver, and £35 for the Gold Award. Educational centres that run the YSA may add a small fee to help cover administration costs as centre charges also apply. Teachers interested in running the award can register their interest to find our more or fill in the form below to register a group.
Educators Order Form
Taking part independently
The current participation fee in the UK is £55.00 for Bronze, £65 for Silver and £95 for Gold when registered independently.
Independent Participant – UK: Sign up form
If you are outside of the UK and taking part independently, the fees are £80.00 for Bronze, £90 for Silver and £115 for Gold and include international medal postage.
Independent Participant – International: Sign up form
We will reply to every enquiry as promptly as possible, but please do check your junk mail folder if you don’t receive anything. If you don’t hear from us within a few days, please email hq@ysawards.co.uk
Guidance for participants:
Watch our guide to the E-Portfolio:
For Teachers:
Slide deck for launching YSA in your setting
Achieving the Bronze Award
The Bronze level is a great starting point for any student, but particularly those aged under 16, or those who are just starting out with a Youth STEMM Award. It requires participants to commit to a minimum of 45 hours of activity across four strands.
What the award involves
- 10 hours minimum.
- You must work with at least two different groups of students
- You should work with people your own age or younger than yourself
- Those groups must be from at least two different organisations (one can be your own school)
- 10 hours minimum
- Participation in at least two events
- The two events must be in different settings (one can be in your own school)
- You should be able to demonstrate the use of social media or technology in how you engage with others
Developing your skills and knowledge
- 10 hours minimum
- Attendance at two STEMM related events involving the sharing of knowledge or the development of skills
- You must be able to demonstrate an extension or development of a skill or knowledge area
- This must take place over the course of the award and clear progression should be evident
- You should make sure you record evidence wherever possible to demonstrate the progression you have made
- 15 hours minimum
- Only 10 hours can be counted from work experience
- A minimum of 8 hours must be specifically linked to careers in STEMM sectors
- The remainder of the hours can be made up of general career guidance and personal development
- You must show evidence of having explored careers in more than one STEMM sector
For the Bronze Award you must cover all five STEMM areas during your participation.
- Register at any time of the year
- Submit your completed Award when you have completed enough hours
- Receive your medal and certificate in the post or via your school or college
The six steps to success
Achieving the Silver Award
The Silver level is a good intermediate challenge, either for those who have already undertaken the Bronze level, or for those who like a challenge from the start. It is mainly aimed at those aged 14-16, but could be the best choice for post-16 participants if you’ve never undertaken a Youth STEMM Award before. It requires participants to commit to a minimum of 90 hours of activity and explore each of the five STEMM areas in more detail than at Bronze level.
What the award involves
- 20 hours minimum
- You must work with at least two different groups of students
- You should work with people your own age or younger than yourself
- Develop a novel STEMM activity or project delivered to younger students
- The groups must be from two different schools (one can be your own)
- 20 hours minimum
- Participation in at least two events
- The two events must be in different settings
- You should be able to demonstrate the use of social media or technology (ie digital skills) in how you engage with others
- Development and delivery of a STEMM public event
Developing your skills and knowledge
- 20 hours minimum
- Attendance at three events held at a minimum of two venues
- You must extend or develop a skill or knowledge
- To produce a research project on a new topic
- 30 hours minimum
- Only 20 hours can be counted from work experience
- Minimum of 15 hours must be linked to STEMM sector careers.
- The remainder can be made up of general careers guidance and personal development
- Research at least three careers, in more than one STEMM area
For the Silver Award you must cover all five STEMM areas in each strand during your participation.
- Register at any time of the year
- Submit your completed Award when you have completed enough hours
- Receive your medal in the post or collect your award at the end of year celebration TBC
The six steps to success
Achieving the Gold Award
The Gold level Youth STEMM Award is for those students who have committed to studying a STEMM subject post-16. They must be undertaking at least one STEMM qualification at Level 3 and should be keen to explore career options in one of the STEMM areas in depth. Some students will be able to jump straight into the Gold YSA but should be willing to commit fully to a minimum of 150 hours of activity across the four strands. The Gold YSA also asks you to focus on one of the five STEMM areas in particular during the Award.
What the award involves
- 30 hours minimum
- You must work with at least two different groups of students
- You should work with people your own age or younger than yourself
- The groups must be from two different schools (one can be your own)
- Develop a novel STEMM activity or project delivered to younger students
- Mentoring at least two younger students
- Teaching STEMM content
- 30 hours minimum
- Development and delivery of an activity at two public events
- The events must be in different settings, one can be your school.
- You should be able to demonstrate the use of social media or technology (ie digital skills) in how you engage with others
- Participation in a public debate, conference or presentation
- Creation of a poster to present to the public
- Creating a media resource (e.g. a written blog or article)
Developing your skills and knowledge
- 45 hours minimum
- Attendance at three events held at a minimum of two STEMM venues
- To produce a research project on a new topic such as an EPQ
- A maximum of 25 hours from your EPQ
- To produce a ‘scientific’ style poster on your research and present your research project in a formal setting
- You must be doing at least one STEMM Level 3 qualification
- 45 hours minimum
- Only 25 hours can be counted from work experience
- Minimum of 25 hours must be linked to STEMM careers which must include work shadowing or experience
- Interview a STEMM professional and produce an article to share your findings
- Identify one specific STEMM area and research in detail
- Evidence of working towards a STEMM career pathway
- Practice interviews, with adults from outside of your education setting where possible
For the Gold Award you must cover all STEMM areas in each strand, but one must be identified as contributing significantly in the Developing and Shaping strands.
- Register at any time of the year
- Submit your completed Award when you have completed enough hours
- Receive your medal in the post or collect your award at the end of year celebration TBC
The six steps to success