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STEM event has the right formula for inspiring females

30/06/2017

The University of Wolverhampton showed it has the right formula for inspiring females when it joined forces with Formula 1 giant, Mercedes Grand Prix, to celebrate International Women in Engineering Day.

The Faculty of Science and Engineering joined forces with representatives from the ‘Dare to be Different’ campaign and Mercedes Grand Prix to encourage, inspire and motivate young females into Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) subjects.

Female students from local schools and colleges took part in a range of activities at the Telford Innovation Centre which was recently opened after a £10 million investment in new facilities.

The girls took part in a variety of workshops and exercises designed to show them a full range of engineering activity including driving a Formula 3 racing car on a full-motion simulator, creating 3D printing using state-of-the-art technology, changing the wheels on the University’s Formula Renault car and programming robots.

Ambassador for the Dare to be Different campaign, Christiana Pace along with Jessica Harris and Elsa Reeve from Mercedes AMG Petronas Motorsport, gave inspirational talks on the day.

Professor Nazira Karodia, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Engineering at the University of Wolverhampton, said:  “The government’s industrial strategy green paper highlights the significant role and importance of STEM activity to the projected growth and future sustainability of the nation.

“The University has invested a significant amount of money into new and transformative STEM related subjects and, although student numbers have increased, we want to see more females choosing to study STEM subjects which is why partnering with high profile campaigns to create celebration events like today are so important.”

Megan Handley, 15 from Willenhall E-ACT Academy, said:  “I really like Physics and Maths and my family is all in engineering so I am now thinking about what kind of careers I might be able to go into.  I really liked changing the tyres on the racing car and the day has been a great experience.”

Rachel Toor, who is currently studying part-time for a degree in Construction Management at the University, and is now Shaylor Group Trainee Site Manager, said:  “It is fantastic to have been a part of the University’s Women in STEM day, helping to inspire and encourage female students to start their own journeys in engineering and the built environment.

“I am extremely passionate about motivating younger individuals, especially young women, to enter the industry, find a career they can really enjoy and bring about real change. If I can inspire just one young person to enter the industry then all of my work so far has been worth it.”

        

ENDS

For more information please contact the Media Relations Office on 01902 32 2736 or 01902 518647.

Date Issued: 2nd July 2017

For more information please contact the Corporate Communications Team.

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