Engineering a new future

August 11, 2016

Twenty-four teenage girls from schools all around the UK grabbed the opportunity of a life time at RAF Cosford. They were a part of a week-long WiSE (Women in Science and Engineering) residential camp.

The scheme’s aim is to introduce young girls to engineering and get them thinking about whether it would suit them as a career.

There is a serious shortage of engineers in the UK, both in industry and in the military, so the Cosford course is a great way of tapping into new talent. And it’s a fantastic way of giving girls an insight to the world of engineering, and making them think, ‘maybe this is for me’.

WiSE, in conjunction with the RAF, aim to make STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) more accessible to a younger audience and demonstrate to young women that they are capable of having successful careers in what is sadly still perceived to be a traditionally male profession.

The girls took part in a series of different and challenging experiences, such as learning about cyber security, building gliders, and were given the unique chance to work on a Jaguar Anglo-French jet attack aircraft.

Throughout the week the students created project books and completed a range of homework exercises in order to gain a CREST science award which enables students to build their skills and demonstrate personal achievement in project work.

The event is run as part of a wider programme to encourage young adults from a variety of backgrounds to consider careers in STEM and specifically in engineering. There are events being held across the country at various RAF stations.