Future Stars of Metallurgy 2026

A one-week work experience programme for students in Years 10 to 13 (ages 15 - 18).

We're delighted to open applications for the Future Stars of Metallurgy (FSM) programme, taking place Monday, 17 August - Friday, 21 August 2026.

Programme theme 2026: Metallurgy for a net-zero future

Our vision: Metals shape modern life, from electronics and transport to renewable energy and aerospace, yet most young people never encounter how they are made, tested, recycled, or used to achieve a net-zero future. Future Stars of Metallurgy opens this world by giving students direct access to real engineering tools and scientific practice, allowing them to see, test, and understand how metals behave and why they matter for society and the planet.

STEM Learning objectives:

• Apply Physics: heat transfer, solidification, stress–strain, deformation.
• Apply Chemistry: bonding, alloys, diffusion, corrosion, anodising.
• Apply Mathematics: interpreting graphs, predicting trends, analysing data.
• Apply Engineering Skills: designing a casting, testing materials, interpreting failures.
• Apply Sustainability Knowledge: how recycling metals reduces energy use and CO₂ emissions.
• Use Real Laboratory Equipment: optical microscopes, SEM, hardness testers, tensile machines.
• Think Like Scientists & Engineers: hypothesis → experiment → observe → explain → improve.
• By the end, students see that STEM is not just classroom theory - it's how the real-world works.

During the programme, participants will:

• Gain insight into key scientific challenges in metallurgy
• Work directly with senior scientists and professors on real research tasks
• Develop practical research skills in materials science
• Collaborate on project activities and a final presentation
• Apply classroom knowledge (physics, chemistry, maths) to real metallurgical research
• Meet like-minded students from different schools

All activities connect to a central message: Materials science is key to a circular economy - better metals = less waste, less energy, lower CO₂.

Date: Monday, 17 August - Friday, 21 August 2026
Time: 9am - 3.30pm
Fee: Free
Eligibility: Students in Year 10 to 13 (ages 15 - 18).

All staff working with students hold valid DBS certificates, and the programme fully complies with University policies.

How to apply

Applications open Monday, 1 December 2025. Please submit your application form and consent letter to bcast-admin@brunel.ac.uk. The deadline for applications is Saturday, 28 February 2026. 

Offers

All offers will be issued by Monday, 30 March 2026. To secure your place, you must confirm your acceptance within 7 days of receiving your offer. If we don't hear from you within the timeframe, the offer will be passed to a waiting-list applicant. Once you've accepted your offer, we'll send you full details about the programme.

Cancellations after Friday, 15 May 2026 are not permitted; later cancellations may affect future eligibility, and schools will be notified.

How to get in touch

If you have any questions, or need to speak to us, please email Dr Zhongping Que zhongping.que@brunel.ac.uk or Professor Hari Nadendla hari-babu.nadendla@brunel.ac.uk.

Our commitment

The FSM programme is completely free of charge, reflecting our dedication to inspiring the next generation of STEM leaders.

What students experienced in 2025

During our first round, held in August 2025, our BCAST team at Brunel welcomed 16 enthusiastic students aged 15 to 18 from nine different schools (Winchester College, Wycombe Abbey, Harrow college, Uxbridge college, North London Collegiate School, Langley Grammar School, Vyners School, UTC Heathrow, Watford Grammar School for Girls) for a one-week immersive experience in metallurgy. We're thrilled by their engagement, the positive feedback they shared, and the memorable moments captured throughout the week. Here's what some of the students had to say: 

“The programme went above and beyond my expectations.”
“We learnt practical skills about the machines used in metal processing, as well as team work.”
“I learnt a lot about aluminium, microscopy, and polishing of samples.”

Participants had the unique opportunity to explore both the fundamentals and real-world applications of metallurgy, including:

• An introduction to BCAST and our industrial partners
• Health and Safety training
• Visits to four BCAST facilities
• Theory lessons and hands-on practical research activities:
  • Alloy design and casting
  • Sample preparation and microscopy (OM, SEM)
  • Computational modelling and software applications
  • Mechanical testing (hardness, tensile, fatigue)
  • Gleeble facility applications

Students who completed the programme with 100% attendance received certificates and personalised supervisor feedback.

About BCAST

Founded in 2002, BCAST is one of the world’s leading research centres in solidification science and light metals. We're a global driving force in developing new knowledge, advanced processing technologies and sustainable materials, while training future leaders in metallurgy.

Our long-term vision is full metal circulation - meeting global demand for metals through reuse, remanufacturing, closed-loop recycling, and efficient recovery of secondary metals, with minimal reliance on primary resources.

For over 10 years, BCAST has supported the development of young talent, offering training to more than 90 students. In 2025, we launched a fully structured training programme designed and delivered by our academic, technical, and administrative teams - ensuring every student receives a meaningful, inspiring experience. Watch this video to find out more about BCAST.

This programme is organized by BCAST, and supported by IOM3 and Constellium.