Our Founder

Young Gifted and STEM was founded in late 2019, by Genevieve Bent, a Secondary school teacher, Head of Science and passionate STEM advocate for young people. 

Genevieve has been a teacher, in inner-city London schools, for more than 6 years, and in that time, has ran school projects with London South Bank University, (Erasmus+ funded) InventEUrs, delivered activities in conjunction with St George's Hospital, East Surrey College and Kingston University. 

Her work lead to her winning a 'Harris Federation Transforming Lives award' for engaging young people in STEM, in 2018. Which was followed by a Black Young Professional Network award for 'Role Model of the Year', also in 2018. 

She is extremely passionate about Diversity in STEM - delivering talks, around the country, about the importance of role models for Black and minority young people and Girls, in STEM studies and Careers. She recognises the importance of widening access for these young people and affording them greater opportunities for STEM participation during their formative years. 

 YGASTEM is an initiative which exists to improve the experiences and engagement of Black and Ethnic Minority young people with STEM subjects.  

Our goals are to: 

• Provide BME young people with a hub for learning new skills  
• Grant BME young people wider access to STEM professionals, higher education institutions and the workplace 
• Increase the number of young people studying STEM subjects at FE and HE level  

We aim to achieve these goals through: 

1. Upskilling – giving the students opportunities to improve in their mainstream education whilst also allowing them to learn new skills. 
2. Widening participation – improving access to universities, colleges and workplaces and introducing students to professionals in a wide range of STEM careers.