Female Pupils Take Part In Stem Taster Day At Wrexham Glyndwr University

A group of girls from Darland High school have been welcomed to Wrexham Glyndŵr University for a STEM taster day.

The day, organised alongside EESW –Engineering Education Scheme Wales –complements similar days put on by the university. Both aim to engage young women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths subjects.

Throughout the day, pupils from the Rossett school were given the chance to sample a wide range of science and technology experiences drawn from the range of courses which Wrexham Glyndwr University has to offer.

These included learning about television production in the Creative Industries Building,  fingerprinting with Forensic Science lecturers, and getting the chance to try their hand flying planes and driving cars on Glyndwr’s simulators.

EESW North Wales Manager Graham Nutt said: “The Engineering Education Scheme Wales (EESW) values the excellent working relationship with Wrexham Glyndwr University and our collaboration on various activities, particularly the Girls into STEM programme.

“These days give female pupils in Wales the opportunity to gain an insight into STEM prior to them choosing their GCSE subjects.

“The feedback we receive from these sessions are always very positive, with students commenting that they feel more confident with science and more aware of what they would like to do in future.”

Joy Brereton, Wrexham Glyndwr University Recruitment and Liaison Officer, added: “As a university we have a wide range of courses covering STEM subjects – and our students get the opportunity to involve themselves in some really exciting experiences.

“In recent weeks, those experiences have included taking part in an international drone competition representing Wales, helping to identify skeletal remains in Cyprus, and assisting as part of a film production crew at a major music festival.

“Our lecturers are keen to help develop an interest in STEM subjects among secondary school pupils – as research has shown that the interest girls show in these subjects as they enter their teens can drop sharply between the ages of 16-17.

“One of the methods that the researchers identified could stop this drop was by providing practical experience and knowledge of how STEM subjects are used in the real world – and that’s why we are opening up our doors to give Darland’s pupils some hands-on experiences.

“We hope that some of our visitors enjoyed their day – and left the University considering a course or a career in STEM.”