Braintastic! Science Mentoring Scheme
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Marketing Executive
We are passionate about helping people from all backgrounds get started in SciComm
Got some experience already? You could be our next Sensational Science Presenter!
To be a Braintastic! Science presenter you need to have:
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A degree in neuroscience, psychology or a related field, or comparable experience in the area
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Confidence on stages large and small
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A willingness to learn & grow (I still regularly get questions from kids that I can’t answer!)
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A passion to share your love of the brain with young people
Ideally, you will also have:
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Experience in SciComm
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Experience working with young people
If this sounds like you, please do get in touch. We are expanding quickly and it's great to have some fab people to call on when we are next taking on a new presenter.
If you are interested, please email ginny@braintasticscience.com , with 'Braintastic! Science Presenter' in the subject line, including:
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Why you think you would be right for this role.
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Your sci-comm/ presenting experience.
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Your experience in psychology/ neuroscience.
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Your current work (or study) situation, and how Braintastic! Science would fit with it.
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A video of yourself presenting. If you don't have a video, you can film a short clip (1-2 mins, filmed on your phone is fine) of you explaining your favourite fact about the brain, as you would to a 10 year old.
If you do become a presenter, we will provide:
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Training on the Braintastic! Science suite of shows and workshops for schools
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All the kit needed to deliver the content.
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Ongoing coaching and mentoring to make you a better science communicator
Some more details about the role
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The role operates on a freelance basis, paid at £200 per day (plus travel expenses).
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Shows will mainly fall within school hours during term time, or on weekends, so flexibility is needed. Number of shows is variable, but I would expect a presenter to sign up for between 10-15 days’ presenting over the course of the year. This means the role could fit well for someone with other freelance work, or flexible hours.
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The role will require travel. We get bookings from all over the UK and while we try to match these to your home location that’s not always possible depending on presenter availability. A car would be helpful, but I regularly take the kit on the train, so public transport is do-able, if you are based somewhere with good transport connections.
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As a freelancer you will need to provide your own Public Liability Insurance to ensure you’re covered if anything goes wrong. This only costs about £70/year (or it’s included as part of Equity membership) and will cover all your freelance work, not just your shows with Braintastic! Science.
Braintastic! Science Mentoring Scheme
We are launching this mentoring scheme to support people from traditionally underrepresented groups to get some SciComm experience, even if you don’t know where to start! To join the scheme you need to be:
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From a group traditionally underrepresented in science & SciComm. This includes, but is not limited to people who are:
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BAME/ BIPOC
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Disabled or neurodiverse
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LGBTQIA+
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The first in their family to attend university
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Working in or studying Psychology or Neuroscience, or related fields
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Based in the UK
The scheme will last a year, and successful applicants will get:
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Free access to my online Storytelling for Science Communication Course
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Quarterly mentoring calls with me to discuss your SciComm goals and how to get there
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Advice, recommendations and introductions to help you get more SciComm experience
Plus, there will be opportunities to get involved with Braintastic! Science, in whatever way works for you. This might include:
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Shadowing our presenters at events near you to watch & learn (we will always cover your expenses for joining these events).
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Supporting our presenters as a (paid) workshop assistant at bigger events.
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Writing blog posts, creating some social media posts, or making #CuriosityCorner videos.
Our hope is that some of you will go on to become future Braintastic! Science Presenters, having built your skills and confidence throughout the year- although of course this isn’t guaranteed, and there’s no commitment made on your part- it has to work for both of us.
Ready to join the scheme?
If you are interested, please email ginny@braintasticscience.com with 'Braintastic! Science Mentoring Scheme' in the subject line, including:
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Why you think you’re a good fit for the Braintastic! Science Mentoring Scheme and what you hope to get out of it
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Your experience in psychology/ neuroscience.
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The areas of SciComm you’re interested in exploring
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Any SciComm / presenting experience that you might have (none required!)
That's why we are excited to launch our Braintastic! Science mentoring scheme for people from traditionally underrepresented groups who are keen to get some SciComm experience, but don’t know where to start!
About us
Braintastic! Science is on a mission to inspire, engage and educate young people about their amazing brains. We translate cutting edge research into fun, narrative driven shows & activities, to help kids find out more about their amazing brains and how to get the best out of them. With topics including mental wellbeing, learning and memory and the senses, our content promotes curiosity, encouraging kids to ask questions, and highlighting the importance of learning and thinking scientifically, throughout our lives. And most importantly, our interactive stage shows are great fun!
What we do
We deliver headline stage shows and small group workshops at festivals, events and schools around the UK and (occasionally) overseas. Our content is hands-on, interactive and fun, and designed to get kids curious about their amazing brains. All our presenters have a background in neuroscience or psychology, and are fantastic role models, helping young people from all backgrounds to see that they can have a future in STEM. We are passionate about inclusivity and aim to have a diverse range of presenters.