Science-savvy girls see the Hadron Collider

TELLING university academics why they think science could change the world has won two Myton School pupils the chance to see the Hadron Collider in Switzerland.

Amrita Panaich and Chloe Tomlinson were among 13 budding female scientists from the West Midlands to win places on the trip to the CERN Laboratory in Geneva, from which they are due to return today (Friday).

Supported by the National HE-Stem Programme, the essay competition was organised by the Council for Industry and Higher Education’s Talent 2030 campaign, which works to encourage more young people - particularly women - to pursue careers in manufacturing and engineering.

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Warwick University supported the competition, with academics from the institution sitting as judges.

Professor Nigel Thrift, the university’s vice-chancellor, said: “To many youngsters, CERN is something they hear about in the news. Now they and many of their friends and peers will appreciate that it is real.

“This will inspire more youngsters to consider a career in STEM.”

Amrita and Chloe, who are both in year nine, travelled with other winners from the Warwickshire and Coventry area to Geneva on Wednesday.

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The Talent 2030 campaign is hoping that the young people will learn about the opportunities that are created by studying science and engineering.

Fewer than one in ten engineering professionals are women - a figure the council says is the lowest proportion across the EU and warns that the UK is at risking of letting half its talent pool go to waste.

Myton’s headteacher Paul MacIntyre said: “We were delighted that two of our girls were successful in gaining two of the 20 places available in the area to take part in the visit to the CERN Laboratory.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for Amrita and Chloe and reflects our students’ desire and ambition to achieve their goals and make their dreams come true.”

To learn more about the Talent 2030 campaign, visit www.talent2030.org

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