Students learning about X-Rays in the ESRF visitor centre.
STEM Girls are everywhere! We were recently contacted by some amazing girls at the University of Warwick, in conjunction with the University of Liverpool. They recently coordinated a project to support women in STEM careers by running a competition in schools for 16/17 year old female students. The winners were taken on an all-expenses paid visit to the European Photon and Neutron Science Campus (EPN) in Grenoble, France, where they met with inspirational scientists working there. Their trip included a visit to the XMaS beamline (X-ray Magnetic Scattering) at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility. They also went to see the neutron research reactor at the Institut Laue-Langevin. Both ESRF and ILL are world-leading research facilities, and would be a dream visit for any physicist.
To apply, candidates were asked to write an essay on ‘What is the legacy of Dorothy Hodgkin, both on the study of structure on an atomic scale and for women in Science?’ They were also asked why they wanted to go on the trip. After they returned home, the girls gave presentations on what they learned. Check out their site to see some awesome videos created by students who attended the trip.
Students exploring the XMaS beamline equipment.
Below we’ve included some of what the girls had to say about the trip and what they learned, as well as what they would improve for future trips:
Michele: During my time in Grenoble I’ve been able to learn about a wide spectrum of science I would’ve never normally been exposed too. The best thing about this trip has been speaking to the female scientists at the ESRF and ILL…. . In conclusion I feel that this trip not only allowed me to become more knowledgeable about science, but also allowed me to meet like-minded people who I was able to strike up genuine friendships with. Most importantly I’ve learnt that being a women in science is not a hindrance but rather an asset. As Nichelle Nichols writes (former NASA ambassador) ‘science is not a boy’s game, it’s not a girl’s game. It’s everyone’s game’.
Anastasia: The trip made me more confident in pursuing my scientific aspirations as a female scientist and helped me to see that STEM industries were open to females. I am more likely to become a scientist because of this trip.
Amy: It’s been a fabulous opportunity that I feel privileged to have been chosen to go on and I have loved every minute (including the extra ones!).
Misbah: Another part that I found really interesting was when we had the chance to speak to different scientists. I found it amazing how passionate they were about their field of work- even about the things that went wrong- as I do hope to be in their place one day speaking about engineering.
Chloe: It was really helpful for me to see what a life is like as an international scientist and talking to various scientists has helped me to confirm the path that I want to take and showed me the career options that I have.
The project is currently being launched at Uppsala University in Sweden and they hope to spread the project far and wide. What an exciting opportunity for these girls, and one we hope to see many more girls experience! If you are a UK resident and would like to hear about upcoming opportunities please visit http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/physics/outreach/grenoble2015 or
http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/cross_fac/xmas/grenoble2015-copy.
If you would like to get in touch, please contact Kayleigh Lampard for more details at Kayleigh.lampard@warwick.ac.uk.
Students in the glorious sunshine surrounded by the Alps at the EPN Campus.