FAQs

Q. Who pays the speakers' travel expenses?
Speakers are likely be local and their travel expenses paid by their institution or company.

Q. If the speaker is a PhD student, won't their expertise be very limited?
PhD students vary in age and experience. Some will be recent graduates, others older, but generally they will be close in age and experience to your students, which can really help them connect with the audience. Their particular area of study is very focussed but they are encouraged to set their talk in a wider perspective. For example, a psychology PhD student who works with animals will be prepared to answer students' questions on that issue.

Q. How often should we hold a café?
We suggest you aim for one every half-term. Depending on whether you avoid the January and summer exam periods, this works out at around 4-6 per year. 

Q. Will speakers know about the school science curriculum?
It isn't essential for them to know what the pupils are currently being taught, as they are there to talk about their own work. If you do feel it would be useful for them to have information about the syllabus points related to the chosen topic, let them know.

Q. Will the speaker be able to cope with a mixed age group?
Speakers are encouraged to use simple, straightforward language and develop a rich variety of analogies to illustrate their topic. And if students are still confused, there's the chance to ask for more detail or another explanation during the discussion.

Q. What if we only have classrooms available for the café?
Wherever the café is held, the emphasis will be on accessibility and informality. Obviously, some areas e.g. common rooms, will meet these criteria more readily but if you only have classrooms available, the project organiser will help you explore options for making the café as informal as possible within your constraints.

Q. What if no one asks any questions?
The teacher co-ordinator and student organisers should aim to have a few questions up their sleeves, in case the audience is completely silent. You could also point out any students you know to be articulate, so the speaker can encourage them to join in.

Q. What's the time commitment?
Cafés will last 40 minutes to an hour (approx. 10min talk, 30min discussion and debate) and are most likely to be held at lunchtime or after school. You might want to set aside some time for attending planning meetings in the early stages. We suggest the team will need around three meetings per café but these don't have to be very long.

Q. Will the speakers be CRB checked?
We encourage schools to use the STEMnet Ambassadors as the main speaker resource. All Ambassadors are CRB-checked and the scheme insures Ambassadors while they are taking part in an activity. 

Q. What if the speaker doesn't turn up?
Occasionally, for very good reasons, speakers find that they cannot attend a café. We encourage speakers to find a replacement if at all possible or failing that, to liaise with the school as soon as possible.