Students aged 11 - 16
SBC Canford
Future Scientists (STEM)
Future Scientists introduces you to the methods and questions that define modern science. Across two weeks you’ll study biology, chemistry and physics through practical experiments, observation and analysis. The programme builds both understanding and technique, giving you the chance to investigate real problems and present clear scientific explanations.
Preparing Tomorrow's Scientists
Future Scientists is a two-week programme for students who want to understand how science works in practice. You’ll study biology, chemistry and physics through experiments, demonstrations and guided research, learning how to test ideas and explain your findings with clarity.
The course gives you the chance to practise core skills such as designing investigations, collecting and interpreting data, and presenting results. Alongside this, you’ll look at new scientific developments and the ethical questions that surround them, building your ability to think critically about the role of science in society.
Work is collaborative as well as individual. You’ll take on group challenges that require discussion, problem-solving and shared responsibility, reflecting how scientists work together in research and industry.
Teaching is led by educators with a background in the sciences, who combine subject knowledge with practical insight. By the end of the programme you’ll have strengthened both your scientific understanding and the skills needed to explore it further at school or university.
Future Scientists
At a Glance
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Price
£4,250
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Ages
11-16
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English Level
B1+
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Duration
2 weeks, 4 Weeks
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Maximum Class Size
15
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Academic Content
15 Hours of Lessons per Week
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Starting Dates
29th June & 13th July 2026
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Location
Canford School
At a Glance
Future Scientist
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Academic Content
15 hours of subject-specific academic content per week with an experienced subject tutor, delivered through interactive and hands-on lessons
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Time To Shine
Opportunities to apply and share this knowledge through dynamic ‘Time To Shine’ group projects, culminating in an end-of-the-week ceremony in which you can present your innovative ideas to your peers.
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Excursions
Travel to well-known UK locations on adventures they won’t soon forget, from a thrilling thrill-seekers’ dream at Thorpe Park to inspiring cultural excursions in the capital.
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Social programme
Each week you’ll explore new skills through our high-energy programmes including sports, performing arts, creative arts, tech and survival academy. You’ll also have the opportunity to showcase your unique abilities in our talent showcase and celebratory disco nights!
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Develop English Language Skills
Numerous opportunities throughout your academic programme to develop your English language skills, whether that’s building vocabulary to talk about your subject, or developing your speaking skills to present your Time To Shine project
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End of Course Report and Certificate
At the end of every Summer Boarding Courses programme, each student receives a personalised end-of-course report alongside a certificate of achievement. These documents mark more than attendance — they reflect the progress you’ve made, the skills you’ve developed, and the contributions you’ve brought to your classes and projects. The report provides thoughtful feedback from your tutors, highlighting both your strengths and areas to keep building on, while the certificate stands as a formal recognition of your commitment and success. Together, they serve as lasting evidence of your growth and as valuable additions to future academic applications.
Course Objectives and Modules
Future Scientists at Canford is a two-week programme for students aged 11–15 who want to explore the workings of the natural world. You’ll investigate biology, chemistry and physics through experiments and practical tasks, testing ideas and learning how scientific principles explain everyday phenomena. The course makes science clear and engaging, helping you to build confidence and curiosity as you develop your understanding.
Module 1: Life and Living Systems
Investigate how living things function and interact with their surroundings. You’ll study the basics of cells, examine ecosystems and look at the connections between different species. Simple experiments and field observations will help you see how biology explains the world around us.
Module 2: Matter, Motion and Energy
Learn how chemistry and physics shape everyday life. You’ll explore what materials are made of, how they change, and how energy moves through systems. From observing reactions to testing forces, each activity brings abstract ideas into practical focus.
Module 3: The Wonders of Space and Earth
In the final module, you’ll embark on a journey through space and time. You’ll learn about the solar system, the Earth’s structure, and the forces that shape our planet. Through engaging activities, you’ll explore the mysteries of space, understand the basics of geology, and discover how science helps us understand the universe.
Key Learning Outcomes
Understand Core Scientific Principles
Gain a solid grounding in biology, chemistry, and physics through interactive lessons and practical activities.
Apply Knowledge Through Experiments
Carry out hands-on investigations and learn how scientific theories connect to real-world phenomena.
Develop Analytical Thinking
Learn to observe, record, and interpret results, strengthening problem-solving and critical reasoning skills.
Communicate Scientific Ideas
Practise explaining discoveries and presenting findings with clarity and confidence in group discussions and Time to Shine projects.
Master Public Speaking & Presenting Time to Shine
Time to Shine is your platform each week to step forward and show what you can do. It’s where ideas turn into performances, experiments or displays, and where you learn to speak with clarity and confidence. Every showcase is a chance to practise presenting like a scientist, entrepreneur, or artist of the future, while celebrating how far you’ve come in just a few days.
Through Time to Shine, you’ll practise speaking clearly and confidently in front of an audience. Presenting your project helps you structure ideas, explain them in your own words and build the confidence to share them with others. These are the first steps in mastering public speaking, a skill that will support you far beyond the classroom.
Future City 2050 Festival
Design a city that doesn’t exist yet. Shape its skyline, invent its technology, decide how people will live. At the end of the week the festival opens: lights up, exhibits on show, performances in full flow.
Building the city’s foundations
Set up your stand in the science pavilion. Show how your model provides energy, food, or transport for the city of tomorrow. Demonstrate it live, talk through the science in clear language, and let the audience see future innovation in action.
Mission: Impossible?
Enter a world where nothing is certain. Take on survival challenges, create bold solutions, and bring the story to life in a showcase filled with invention, art and performance.
Solutions to the impossible
Take your place in the science showcase. Reveal a model that tackles survival head-on: power, shelter, food, or energy. Show how it works, explain the thinking behind it, and let the audience witness science as a tool for endurance.
In-Person Programme Benefits
Benefits
Mastering Public Speaking
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Building Confidence
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Creative Expression
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Celebrating Progress
Download The Academic Overview
Get a detailed insight into our Future Scientists (STEM)Â programme, designed to inspire and challenge students in a dynamic learning environment.
Download now to explore how Future Scientists (STEM) equips students with the knowledge and experience to excel.
Our Approach to Your Learning
At Canford School, we focus on making learning an exciting adventure. In Future Scientists, our approach is to blend hands-on activities with guided discovery, encouraging you to ask questions, experiment, and think like a young scientist. Our lessons are designed to be interactive and enjoyable, helping you build confidence in your scientific abilities while having fun. With supportive teachers and a friendly environment, we aim to nurture your natural curiosity and inspire you to explore the world of science with enthusiasm.
Brought inspiration for the future
The Future Doctors course was the first of its kind and we can say really inspiring course for our daughter. The content of the course, the commitment of lecturers and SBC team was something which will remain in her mind forever. This course certainly has strengthened her self-confidence and brought inspiration for the future.
Julia, Headington Oxford, Spain - Parent
Future Scientists
Dates & Prices
Future Scientist - FAQs
Do I need previous experience in science to join this programme?
No, the course is designed for curious learners of all levels. You’ll be introduced to concepts step by step, with activities that make science accessible and engaging.
What resources or equipment will I need?
All materials for experiments and activities are provided. You just need to bring enthusiasm, a notebook for observations, and suitable clothing for practical work.
Will I be working on my own or in groups?
You’ll do both. Some activities are individual, but many experiments and projects are collaborative to reflect the teamwork common in science.
How does the programme prepare me for the Time to Shine presentation?
You’ll do both. Some activities are individual, but many experiments and projects are collaborative to reflect the teamwork common in science.
How does the programme prepare me for the Time to Shine presentation?
Throughout the two weeks you’ll practise sharing findings, building confidence in communication. This leads up to your Time to Shine project, where you present your work to peers and tutors.
Speak with a member of our friendly admissions team
We’re happy to answer any questions you have and support you in finding the perfect experience.