Girls get a chance to 'discover science'

As part of the Discover Science Saturday Club for Girls - a joint project between Bangor University and Careers Wales – 25 girls opted to spend their Saturdays finding out more about science, engineering and technology in an informative and fun environment.

The Year 9 pupils from 10 schools from Gwynedd, Conwy and Ynys Môn visited the University for various workshops over five weeks – with the aim being to encourage the girls to continue with STEM subjects in the future. 

“The girls took part in a range of activities and experiences - all aimed at showing them the range of courses and careers that exist within science,“ said Manon Owain, Access Officer at Bangor University.    

“The feedback at the end of the programme showed that all the girls had really enjoyed learning more about science – and that many of them were so enthused and motivated by what they’d done that they were keen to continue studying science in the future.”
 
Ffiona Williams, Senior Manager for Careers Wales, said “We know that we need more young people to continue studying Science subjects beyond GCSE and A level and that individuals who do so are increasing their job prospects for the future. Girls are under-represented in Science related careers generally and the Discover Science programme broadens their career thinking beyond the traditional science occupations.”

 The workshops held at Bangor University were: Light up your life with electronic fashion (School of Electronic Engineering); Exploring plants inside & out (School of Biological Sciences); Shells:  beautiful jewellery or amazing animals? (School of Ocean Sciences); A Wild Life Crime Who-dunnit? (School of Biological Sciences); and It’s never a bore on the rocky shore! (School of Ocean Sciences).

The final Saturday included a site visit to Electric Mountain and Dinorwig Power Station in Llanberis, where the girls met with female engineers to hear about their career paths and experiences.

Publication date: 25 February 2013