Portfolio Guidance
Student Handbook
Details of STEM Ambassador Programme and registration process (to include DBS application)
Specialist Resources as advised by supervisor and activity specific.

Bolles. What Color is Your Parachute? 2011, Ten Speed Press.

Reidy, J. 2006. Learning to work: students' experiences during work placement, Melbournes University Press.

Archive of details and evaluations of past work placements over several years, kept in the Sciences Learning Resource Centre.

N.B. The nature of this module means that in any one year it may not be offered or that there may have to be limits imposed on the numbers of students that could take the module. This is because there may not be appropriate activities running or planned for students to contribute towards. Some activities may require particular aptitudes - those suitable for the activities available in any one year will therefore be selected on the basis of an application. Students will be counselled about this when making module choices.

You will primarily be engaged in independent learning involving liaising with Faculty supervisor in planning and executing the activity. A learning agreement will be drawn up between you and your supervisor at the start of your activities and this will form the basis for the agreed activities.

You will normally be required to apply for an approved activity and if successful receive a briefing on the nature of the work / task. General instruction on protocols e.g. time management, health and safety etc. will be provided and the Faculty supervisor will negotiate the exact requirements of the activity. The duration and timing of the activity will vary as appropriate on a case-by-case basis but will normally consist of 10-15 days of unpaid activity.

It is envisaged that the activity could be concentrated into short intensive periods or be a more extended period such as, for example, one day per week for ten weeks.
The equivalent of 6 x 1 hour one-to-one project support, review and debrief sessions will be held throughout the module to provide you with guidance specific to the project and assessments.

Assessment: A case study comprising of a 1750 word reflective summary designed to evaluate and offer insights into the enhancement of your employability attributes [Outcome 1, 2, 3] (70%). The case study to be accompanied by a portfolio of evidence from your activity with reflections based upon this evidence [Outcome 2, 3] (30%). Specific evidence will vary dependent upon the nature of the activity but could include log/record of activities, skills review, and final project output, planning documents, risk assessments and minutes of meetings.
Formative Assessment: One-to-one sessions with the Faculty supervisor will provide you with regular formative feedback and allow you to evaluate your progress.

This module offers you the opportunity to enhance your development by applying your knowledge and skills to a collaborative applied project activity. The activity will normally be supervised by a member of Faculty staff in close liaison with the relevant activity partner.

The purpose of the module is not only to increase understanding of a particular applied science topic, but also to offer you some wider insights and experience of the application of Science, its public understanding and societal impacts.

Many activities are possible but they will all broadly involve you contributing to a greater understanding of real world science. You will be tasked with applying appropriate solutions and developing relevant modes of interpretation to enhance participant understanding. Examples of activities could include:

- Employment by an organisation to carry out a small scale research task
- Working with school science clubs as a STEM ambassador
- Outreach work designing interpretive science-based installations for display

During this module you will gain experience of working with recognised graduate-employing organisations as part of your overall graduate experience. Modes of engagement with employers are negotiable allowing the flexibility of maximising the activity.

The activities involve working effectively to fully understand, examine and challenge the issue/problem presented. You will be encouraged to use your initiative and demonstrate independence of thought through analysis of the issue. This module will provide an opportunity to further develop transferrable skills such as understanding and working within the workplace, using creativity and innovation to solve problems and enhancing tools for effective team working skills and project planning.