Ruth Edwards has launched a new campaign to promote Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths careers to children in schools across Rushcliffe as part of British Science Week.
The campaign will feature prominent women working in STEM sectors to try and address the shortage of girls studying STEM subjects and going into related careers.
In partnership with Jesse Gray School, West Bridgford School, Nottingham Girls High School and local resident Vanessa Danielson, Ruth is producing a digital flipbook which features profiles of speakers – mostly women- and organisations working in STEM sectors.
All of those featured have volunteered their time to come into schools and give talks, assemblies and activities to show children what their jobs involve. Potential speakers include research scientists, physicists and mathematicians, Ruth will be distributing this to all schools in Rushcliffe later this week.
The campaign kicks off on Monday at Jesse Gray Primary School in West Bridgford, where Ruth was one of three women who spoke about their careers in STEM to children in this morning’s assembly.
Before her election to Parliament, Ruth worked as part of BT’s cyber security team. She said “There are so many exciting opportunities in STEM careers but too often girls don’t see anyone there who looks like them. We also have a considerable shortage of people in important and growing industries like cyber security so its really important that careers in this area are appealing to the whole population and not just half of it. I hope that the inspirational portfolio of women who have volunteered to speak in Rushcliffe schools will help to inspire girls and boys of all ages into exciting, STEM based careers.”
The other two speakers sharing the stage at the Jesse Gray assembly were Vanessa Danielson Msc and Dr Jane Gill who spoke respectively on their experience in the life science sector and Neonatal care.
Vanessa Danielson MSc is Vice President at LivaNova. With a Masters of Science in Health Economics from City University in London, she is a Health Economist with over 20 years global experience in the life sciences industry.
Dr Jane Gill is a consultant neonatologist. She is in charge of the East Midlands Neonatal Operational Delivery Network (EMNODN) and has a role in coordinating the care delivered to babies from around our region.
Headmaster at Jesse Gray School Chris Belton said “It was great to have three inspirational STEM career speakers launch our National Science Week work today.
Hearing the educational journeys that led to these careers and seeing the huge impact that their roles have on so many people demonstrated that careers in STEM can be so wide ranging and influential.
The children have many more questions and are looking forward to our other activities over the next two weeks.”
Ruth will also be launching a social media campaign to go alongside British Science Week and the flipbook of speakers that highlights the achievements of famous female scientists, engineers, mathematicians and technologists.
