Are You a Year 12 Student Interested in Astronomy? 

Looking for something a bit different for Work Experience?

The British Astronomical Association may be able to help!

We are running a Virtual Work Experience Project on Astronomical Research during the week 13th – 17th July 2026.

You would join remotely from their school (ideally in groups of at least two).

The remote delivery team (which includes amateur and profrssional astronomers) will be providing briefing for research tasks and ongoing online support during each day. 

The main research topic is the Sun, including making your own observations, analysing them, deducing solar properties such as solar cycle and rotation periods, and presenting results.  You will work in small teams.
You will also get the opportunity to use large remote telescopes (up to 2m) to make observations of comets to contribute to current professional research. 
Last year’s group contributed to observations by the James Webb Space Telescope – and got their names in the resultant research paper!

Last year’s students have told us that they enjoyed the week and the opportunities they had for making observations, undertaking research and learning new skills. Seeing their names in research papers was very exciting too.   They said that it was particularly useful when they applied for university, and in university interviews.  The article below provides more details.

This is a small programme, maximum 18 students, to ensure a high quality experience. 

If you would like to apply, or would like more information, please either contact Helen Usher from the BAA Education and Outreach Section:  eando@britastro.org.  Or you can fill in this google form