Engineering heroes encourage more girls into STEM

A team of female engineering heroes from Aston University 's College of Engineering and Physical Sciences have banded together to encourage girls into STEM careers.

As part of International Women in Engineering Day (INWED), which took place yesterday, the world 's largest initiative to celebrate the achievements of women in engineering, Aston University 's very own team of engineers have shown themselves to be the very best STEM superheroes.

Dressed in capes and taking selfies for the event, ambassadors from the college, in collaboration with the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Institute of Technology, have also put together video content to show off their engineering skills and become 'heroes ' for girls wanting to do the same.

The university has also launched a competition for participating schools linked to Aston University. Girls are being challenged to come up with their own superhero gadget / gizmo idea.

Professor Sarah Hainsworth, pro-vice chancellor and executive dean of the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences at Aston University, said they were proud to be a part of INWED2021.

“It is so important to us to encourage more girls into STEM subjects. Our hope is that through our teaching, and our partnership with the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Institute of Technology with its focus on technical skills for advanced manufacturing and giving students a clear route to technical employment, many will follow in the footsteps of our incredible team and be the STEM leaders of the future.

“At Aston University, we work on sustainability for the environment, bioengineering, robotics, machine learning, sensors, communications, artificial intelligence, technologies for future vehicles and the issues that shape our future. On International Women in Engineering Day (INWED 2021), our College of Engineering and Physical Sciences celebrates the amazing contribution of our women colleagues who represent the cutting edge of engineering who are making vital contributions to our health and wellbeing, our society and our planet. ”

Pictured: Aston University Mechanical Engineering Student and STEM Ambassador Olamide Olabode