SCHOOLING/EDUCATION
went on to study Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, and Aviation Engineering; as well as Mathematical Science, Computer and Business Studies and Multimedia Computing – also areas where female numbers are low.
We encourage a hands-on approach to connect students with STEM and make these subjects dynamic, exciting and relevant to our modern age. As well as outstanding teaching, this involves lots of ‘out of the classroom’ experiences and competitive challenges in school to really focus our girls on end results. And although some commentators will say that the independent sector has greater financial means with which to do this, the fact remains that there are many national initiatives and opportunities that are open and relevant to all schools – and totally free – and plenty more which schools can generate by themselves with a little imaginative thinking.
As part of National Science and Engineering Week, all of our Year 9s at Malvern St James participated in a one-day challenge by the Smallpeice Trust to develop a crash-proof vehicle and a propelled glider challenged which tested their aptitude for creative thinking, design and engineering. Further up the school, Sixth Form and GCSE students have benefited from a link with two local engineering companies, Malvern Instruments and Morgan Motors, where girls were tasked with developing and bringing to market a new car design in a Dragons’ Den-style challenge. Both companies lent their expertise and enthusiasm to guide the girls in the preliminary stages, and then sat on the judging panel to assess the final results.
Girls also participate in The Real Business Challenge, a national competition for schools, and Young Enterprise where students create and bring to market new products. In fact, there are several national initiatives in which schools can get involved, all of which offer a fantastic hook to hang STEM projects on, plus Science Olympiads and national Maths Challenges (at Junior and Senior level) to extend students.
We are introducing workshops and events to our younger girls in the Pre-Prep and Prep department, so that they are excited from an ever earlier age. Much of the work we do at Senior level can be translated, with a few tweaks, for our younger Prep girls – for example a Mini Young Enterprise challenge, as well as initiatives to programme robots and create circuits to light up a dolls’ house. We are also bringing in our alumnae who are in careers relating to Engineering and STEM to
www.raf-ff.org.uk Envoy Spring 2015 31
talk to the girls about their career paths and the pleasures and rewards of their roles.
Of course, we can’t expect to change things overnight; and nor do we wish to dictate that girls should choose Sciences over the Arts. But what is clear is that many schools like ours, with a little ingenuity and creativity, are
making some significant headway in engaging girls with the Sciences.
We hope this article inspires your daughters to explore an extraordinary passion!
Malvern St James Girls’ School:
http://www.malvernstjames.co.uk.
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