Women in Science

11 Mar Women in Science

To celebrate International Women’s Day on 8^th March, Jo Richardson Community School invited Dr Laura McKemmish to speak to some of our most able girls in Year 9 and Year 10. Dr McKemmish is a quantum chemist who uses physics, computer science and mathematics in her research, so she is a great role model for our aspiring female scientists.  In her talk, she spoke about the excellent opportunities that persuing a science career has given her; for example, conferences in Switzerland, fieldwork in Hawaii and also a tour of NASA to see the James Webb Telescope.  She encouraged our students to keep asking questions, follow our passions and not to be put off from taking challenging subjects because they are seen as ‘boy subjects’.

To date, only 12.8% of the UK STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) workforce are women.  A recent study found that girls lacked confidence in Science and Maths, even when their results were as good as or better than boys’.  In 2014 there were more male than female participants in all major A-level STEM subjects with the exception of Biology, according to the Joint Council for Qualifications.

Science needs more women, so come on girls, what are you waiting for?

Mrs Clift-Matthews

Head of Chemistry