What is real research? The secret sauce of science

What makes student research feel real — and why does it matter? In this session, we’ll share IRIS’s “Secret Sauce”: the key ingredients that turn a school project into a life-changing experience. Learn what the research says, hear from students themselves, and walk away with practical tools to make research work in your classroom. IRIS has supported over 8,000 students through more than 1,000 research projects — from year-long collaborations with universities to shorter-term projects run within science lessons or STEM clubs. Across this work, some projects consistently spark deeper engagement, ownership, and confidence than others. This session explores what those projects have in common — and what we call IRIS’s “Secret Sauce.” Based on evaluation findings, student interviews, and staff reflection, we’ve identified key design features that make research feel real to students: relevance, agency, teamwork, role models, and the chance to actually “do the thing” — experiment, analyse, problem-solve — rather than just talk or read about it. We’ll share insights on how to design projects that maintain this authenticity, even at shorter lengths or within curriculum time, and offer tools to help teachers deliver them with confidence and impact. By the end of the session, participants will: - Be able to define “authentic research” in a school setting. - Know what factors shape students’ sense of ownership, confidence, and engagement in research. - Feel equipped to adapt or design inquiry projects that reflect real science. - Understand how authenticity connects to science capital, identity, and future aspirations.