Girls love learning all about the applicance of science
More than 150 girls learned about the benefits of a career in STEM subjects at the University of the West of Scotland, in Paisley.
The pupils aged between 10 and 14, from schools across the area, heard from Yusra Omara from Scottish Water who spoke about her career in Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics.
They also took part in a series of hands- on workshops, including the Glasgow Science Centre’s FitLab which invited participants to become scientists by investigating and testing their limits by exploring their endurance, strength, agility, speed and coordination.
Research shows that over half a million job openings in science, research, engineering and technology will need to be filled over the next six years, to replace retiring workers.
However, in engineering, for example, there is an estimated shortfall of people with the right skills of up to 60,000 a year.
Events run by Paisleybased charitable organisation SmartSTEMs target girls aged 10 to 14 and aim to encourage more people from diverse backgrounds to study STEM subjects at school.
The session was one of 12 that SmartSTEMs will deliver in partnership with EDF Energy before the end of the year, reaching up to 5,000 pupils.
EDF Energy’s Scottish business director, Paul Winkle, said: “EDF Energy hopes that by capturing their imaginations at events like this one more children will be inspired to study STEM subjects at school.
“Jo b s in science, technology, engineering and maths are expected to grow at double the rate of other occupations but its projected that there won’t be enough graduates and apprentices to fill the roles.
“We are delighted to be working with SmartSTEMs and the University of the West of Scotland to try and change that.”
Professor Ian Allison, Dean of the university’s school of engineering and computing, added: “The university is leading the way in attracting girls and women into STEM.”