There are many ways in which teachers can get involved with Ri Masterclasses, from nominating students to attend a local series, to running their own Ri Masterclasses.
For teachers who would like to be a part of Ri Masterclasses but can't commit to running a whole series at their school, they could become a Masterclass Speaker and lead an Ri Masterclass workshop. There may also be opportunities to join an organising committee for an existing nearby series.
Many teachers who also work with 16–18 year-old students have chosen a 'sixth-form-to-primary' Ri Masterclass approach, where sixth-form students are given structured training to deliver Ri Masterclasses to primary school students during terms time.
Ways for teachers to get involved with Ri Masterclasses
Nominate your students to take part in an Ri Masterclass
How it works
Teachers are asked by Masterclass organisers to put forward a few students in the relevant year group. We encourage teachers to select students that will benefit most from attending – those who are interested in and curious about the subject and who may not otherwise have opportunities for extracurricular enrichment.
Students attend a complete series of Masterclasses, allowing them to experience a range of topics and develop their understanding of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects.
Find out more
If you would like to nominate students and have not already been in contact with a local group, please email the Masterclass team at masterclasses@ri.ac.uk.
We do not have series in all subjects or age-groups in all areas, but our regional networks are continually expanding and new Masterclass series start each year.
Help out at an Ri Masterclass session
How it works
Teachers can volunteer to attend one or more Masterclass sessions as helpers. This is a great way to support local series and students.
During an Ri Masterclass session, you will have a go at some interesting activities, pick up new ideas and resources and see your subject in a whole new light.
Find out more
Find out more about how you can become an Ri Masterclass helper.
Email us at masterclasses@ri.ac.uk to find out more about opportunities to get involved with Masterclasses in your local area.
We do not have series in all subjects or age-groups in all areas, but our regional networks are continually expanding and new Masterclass series start each year.
Deliver your own Ri Masterclass workshop
How it works
Many teachers get involved by becoming a Masterclass Speaker, which gives them the opportunity to share some of their favourite extra-curricular topics with groups of enthusiastic students.
Teachers can either develop new Masterclass sessions based on their own ideas or use our existing resources.
Find out more
Find out more about how to become a Masterclass Speaker and the range of training we provide.
Sixth-form-to-primary Ri Masterclasses
How it works
Many secondary schools and sixth form colleges run Masterclasses for their local primary schools with the involvement of their 16–18 year old students.
This model, run during school hours, is a structured project for the 16–18 year old students who can team up to deliver workshops in a Primary Masterclass series.
While we have a focus on mathematics, we often work with schools who focus on other STEM subjects, such as physics, environmental science and engineering.
Benefits of this model of delivery include:
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Primary school students get to experience an extended STEM enrichment activity in the form of an Ri Masterclass
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Primary school students regularly attending a secondary school, helping them with secondary transfer
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Primary school students get to interacting with positive sixth-form student role-models
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16–18 year old students get to undertake a high-quality science or mathematics project
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16-18 year old students get structured training from the Ri. With our help, they develop activities for Ri Masterclass workshops and gain vital presentation skills
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This is an excellent addition to sixth-form students' CVs or UCAS forms
Find out more
Read more about our sixth-form-to-primary Ri Masterclass model (pdf) from the 2019 Association for Science Education (ASE) Conference.
Please get in touch with the Ri Masterclass team at masterclasses@ri.ac.uk to discuss the options for your school to get involved in the project.
Join an Ri Masterclass organising committee
How it works
Masterclasses are often run as annual events, and involve a lot of planning.
Many of our Masterclass series are run by committees of volunteers that include local teachers who are committed to supporting Masterclasses.
Teachers may take on planning roles such as student recruitment, arranging supervisor rotas or other tasks. And they can also join the Masterclass workshops as a Masterclass Speaker, Helper or supervisor.
Often, schools decide to set up new Ri Masterclasses for students from across their local area, working with nearby schools to organise the series.
All Ri Masterclass groups get plenty of support from the Ri Masterclass team to get their series up and running.
Find out more
Find out more about what is involved in becoming a Masterclass Organiser or email us at masterclasses@ri.ac.uk to discuss the options in your area.
Set up your own Ri Masterclass series
How it works
Would you like to start an organising committee or Masterclass series at your school?
Many of our Masterclass series are run by schools for students from across their local area, often working with nearby schools to organise the series.
We also offer off-the-shelf Masterclass resources to deliver some of the Masterclasses in their series.
Find out more
Find out more about what is involved in becoming a Masterclass Organiser or email us at masterclasses@ri.ac.uk to discuss the options in your area.
Use our off-the-shelf Ri Masterclass resources
Our off-the-shelf Ri Masterclass resources are perfect for anyone who wants to run their own Ri Masterclass workshop but might not have the time to develop one from scratch.
Safeguarding and Ri Masterclasses
Safeguarding is extremely important to the Ri. We require everyone involved in running Ri activities to share our commitment to safeguarding children and adults at risk. Dependent on their role, we may request background checks for volunteers and other contributors.
For more information, please see our safeguarding policies and procedures, or get in touch with our Designated Safeguarding Officers at safeguarding@ri.ac.uk.
