STEM outreach

I've always been passionate about STEM outreach. My goal is to inspire, engage and empower the future generation. I want to make STEM an accessible and appealing career path for all.

TIDE AND TIME

I was successful in a bid to the DTI Community Fund for a local engagement project exploring the double high tide along the Dorset coast. Working with scientists including Ivan Haigh from the National Oceanography Centre and the University of Southampton I led a weekly Saturday Science Club. Alongside storyteller Martin Maudsley, we built a narrative around the history of Christchurch and captured local interest before hearing about the real reasons the tide curve is distorted.                                           

A small beaker with coloured water. Denser, salty water at the bottom in blue and less dense, freshwater on top coloured green.

SCIENCE WEEK

I’ve always been passionate about STEM outreach and engagement. As a STEM Ambassador since 2005, I’ve been awarded funding by the Royal Society of Chemistry, IET, and DTI to run many events. A highlight was running a science week at a local primary school for five classes across years 5 and 6 that coincided with an OFSTED inspection! Sessions included my ‘Chemistry in my shopping basket’ talk and demonstration. 

 

Small hands exploring the texture and properties of conrnflour and water in a bucket. From a sience club session

FUTURE EARTH

When I was invited to speak at Talbot Heath School in 2013, I developed a talk called ‘Who’s Shaping the Future?’ It was inspired by a past colleague who loved to get people thinking about what would happen after peak oil. The talk is split into three parts: an exploration of our future Earth, driven by population changes and energy challenges; three technologies that inspire me; and an introduction to future engineers tackling these challenges with an insight into their lives and disciplines. 

THE SCIENCE SISTERS

In 2004, I saw first hand how primary schools were struggling with science and design. It became obvious that the teachers had too much to do. This inspired me to apply for funding to set up a group of like-minded mums. Together we created The Science Sisters. We raised funding and learnt STEM engagement skills to support our children’s teachers to facilitate exciting activities. These evolved into Science Weeks, a Science Fair and brought new resources to the school. It also catapulted 15 women back into STEM-related jobs. The group was active until 2015.

A black and white photo of a group of women standing around and one inside a structure made of rolled and bolted together paper tubes forming a shelter

WOMEN OF STATION X

Working as a consultant for the British Computer Society, I was excited to take on an anniversary project inspired by Dr Sue Black, founder of BCSWomen, to explore the role of women at Bletchley Park. It became an oral history project, and I was amazed to find Lorna Cochrane living round the corner from me! The project culminated in an event as part of the BCS 50th Anniversary during National Science and Engineering Week. BCS member Conrad Black produced a video of the story of the women of Station X. Professor Sue Black OBE wrote a book called Saving Bletchley Park which includes the project.

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