The action packed event saw them tackle a number of engineering challenges from constructing towers out of spaghetti and balloons, to launching their own rockets.
Douglas Morrison, STEM and Innovation Lead at City of Glasgow College, said: “Our college was delighted to host this event wihch gave the girls a chance to explore their skills and find out more about the many career opportunities which science, technology, engineering and mathematics subjects have to offer. It was part of our ongoing commitment to widen women’s participation in the STEM labour market which we recognise this works best when done in partnership with organisations like BAE Systems and Girlguiding Glasgow.”
Rachel from the 295th City of Glasgow Guides said: “I really enjoyed the day. My favourite event was the People like Me careers talk which opened my eyes to different opportunities and showed me what I can be in the future. I would definitely consider a career in engineering now and today taught me that girls can do what people usually think only boys can do. I’d love to come back and do it again.”
Jill Elborn, County Commissioner for Girlguiding Glasgow, added: “Giving girls a space where they can try new things, learn new skills and grow in confidence is at the heart of all we do in Girlguiding so we were delighted to partner with BAE to offer an action-packed day of hands-on science, technology, engineering and maths challenges at City of Glasgow College.
“We know too many girls continue to be under-represented in STEM subjects and are missing out due to outdated perceptions – in fact recent research from Girlguiding’s Girls’ Attitudes Survey found that just 37% of girls would consider a job in technology – so we hope opportunities like this will help more girls discover STEM in a fun environment and spark a life-long interest.”
The day was inspired by the Clever Cogs Challenge, a resource produced by BAE Systems and Girlguiding North West England to encourage more girls to discover engineering and explore STEM opportunities.
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