'˜Breaking stereotypes' with STEM event in Carrick

It was attended by pupils from the host school, Carrickfergus College, Carrickfergus Grammar and Ulidia Integrated and was led by Ted Jensen and Darren Nixon from Eye4Education, a company specialised in educational workshops.

An interactive presentation was followed by a practical workshop, where the girls could put in practice their awareness of STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths).

In a statement, the Learning Community careers team explained: “Our aim as a CLC career group in Carrickfergus is to put into practice the recent government initiative which is to encourage STEM careers in Northern Ireland and especially women in STEM by breaking stereotypes and encouraging potential STEM careers starting locally in our school.

“The girls did show a real interest and talent but most of all enjoyed their STEM day in Downshire. We hope that this has given the girls a taste for STEM and they might give consideration to specific STEM subjects just before making their subject choices for GCSE next year.

“We would describe this initiative encouraged and facilitated by the Department of Education as a successful event and we hope that the girls in our local community will be part of the future generation of women in STEM.”