An exciting new development to British Science Week was launched on Monday 7th February offering a national platform for diversity and inclusion in science. ‘Smashing Stereotypes’ is the 2022 campaign dedicated to breaking down barriers to those from minority backgrounds including those whose race or gender are underrepresented in the UK’s scientific community.
Mark Budge, STEAM Co-Ordinator with two members of the Senior Gender Sexuality Alliance (GSA) presented Collect on Monday 7th February to the whole School with the intention of highlighting the initiative. ‘Hall of Fame’ by The Script encouraged everyone to think about the individual barriers they face and the need to develop resilience and determination to achieve your goals, often challenging stereotypes. As the lyrics say “How you ever gonna know if you never even try?”. The GSA then led an interactive challenge to demonstrate the prejudices we possess assessing capabilities based on only physical appearances raising awareness that we all stereotype others and need to actively combat our assumptions. Year 11 student, Harriet, commented, “It is really important to smash stereotypes at school because everyone has so much to offer! It also enables people to have their views challenged from an early age, limiting harmful stereotyping later in life.”
Nicola Jenkins, Physics teacher, was our very own #¢SmashingStereotype as we learnt that she was the first girl in Britain to take Craft, Design and Technology O Level and only one that year. Nicola was offered a choice of Sewing, Art or Home Economics alongside the other girls in her yeargroup at Fitzharry School in Abingdon but wanted to take the boys’ CDT course which involved technical drawing, model making, woodwork and metalwork. At first she was refused a place as she wasn’t on the Year 9 Technical Drawing course, only offered to boys, but she was determined and managed to do enough Technical Drawing in the last term of Year 9 to join the O Level CDT group. At the age of 16, Nicola went on to develop a hoist to help disable people in and out of the swimming pool which cost only £50 to make, seriously undercutting the contemporary market price of £1.500!
Posters provided by British Science Week have been put up around school, with QR codes for students to find out more information about opportunities in STEAM careers. There are profiles of individuals from interesting and varied backgrounds pursuing fascinating careers such as astro-ecologist, exotic pet vet, corporate scientist or antibody engineer. The week ties in perfectly with National Careers Day on Friday 11th February and with British Science Week from 11th to 18th February.
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