News

We met with Sophie, a 13-year-old student with a strong interest in pursuing a science-related career and recently attended the Girls into Engineering residential course. Encouraged by a friend who knew about her aspirations, Sophie was eager to apply for this opportunity and travelled from Scotland to participate. Sophie shared her experience with us on the course, highlighting the skills she developed, the inspiration she gained, and how the course has shaped her future career ambitions. 

How did you hear about this course? 

A friend of mine saw it on Facebook and sent it to me as they knew that I wanted to go into a science related career in the future. I travelled from Scotland to do the course and was very keen to apply.  

What did you enjoy the most about this course? 

I enjoyed the overall experience – I got to see the ins and outs of engineering and I learnt how to solder which is something I haven’t done before which was really fun. I found the university experience enjoyable and discovered how engineering can group people together to make things happen. It was interesting to see the diversity of roles and skills that came together as well.  

What was your biggest takeaway from this course?  

I learnt how to code and learnt about the simplicity in design economy. I had a bit of basic knowledge before the course, but during my time on the course I had to learn how to explain the process of what I do so other people can follow.  

What was the most inspiring thing about this course? 

Seeing where you can go with different engineering topics through university was definitely inspiring. I was also inspired by how many different things can come together to make a project work. I was  fascinated by the chain process of coding and how one thing has to work in order for the next part to also work.  

If you could sum up the course in three words, what would those words be? 

I'd summarise my experience as Impactful, different and adventurous.

Are you more likely to become an engineer after attending this course? If so why? 

I have always been keen to work in a STEM related industry. Previously, I wanted to do something in law but realised it wasn’t for me due to lots of written work and being dyslexic. I much prefer being hands on and practical which is where STEM aligns with what I want to do.  

What would you say to another student thinking of applying for a Smallpeice Trust residential course? 

I'd 100% recommend  it! The course was a good experience to have. It was nice to meet new people with similar interests to me.  

Sophie's experience on the Girls into Engineering residential course has been a pivotal moment in her educational journey. The course provided her with practical skills, deepened her understanding of engineering, and helped her clarify her career aspirations. As she continues to explore her interests, Sophie is now more confident than ever in her decision to pursue a career in STEM. This course has been a significant step in her journey, offering her the tools and inspiration to follow her passion for engineering