America’s Cup STEM Roadshow Inspiring Next Generation
“She of the Sea” founder Jenny Matthews and partner, Natasha Ambrose are thrilled to be joining the 1851 Trust, a Portsmouth based education charity, on their Ineos sponsored America’s Cup STEM Roadshow, visiting secondary schools around the UK from this month.
Joining a panel of inspirational women, all leaders in their field, to engage with young women about the diversity of career opportunities in the maritime industry. Not just the obvious interior jobs either, but exciting opportunities for women in technology, engineering, science and navigation.
1851 Trust, an innovative education charity, has developed the roadshow specifically to inspire young people. Using the power of professional sport to challenge perceptions and excite them about the myriad of superyacht opportunities via Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM). Encouraging girls in secondary schools to seriously consider taking science-based subjects for GCSE, by bringing STEM to life through hands-on games and activities.
Launched on International Women’s Day at the Ineos Team UK Headquarters in Porstmouth, 120 girls from 10 schools across the region got hands-on; piloting a virtual reality boat, experimenting with nitrogen cooling to make ice cream, programming computer coded robots and operating a model of the Mars Rover.
With women significantly under-represented in technical and engineering careers, currently only taking up 22%, there is clearly a gender divide in school subject choices, so the roadshow, funded by the Department of Transport, has been designed to reach, inspire and challenge young women to think again.
With sailing being so varied, not just offering a sport for life but job opportunities for life too, the 1851 Trust want to celebrate women in STEM and inspire girls aged 11- 14, breaking gender stereotypes and encouraging them to pursue STEM GCSE projects with a view to pursuing a career in STEM subjects across many industries including the maritime sector.
The Roadshow combines inspiration and investigation, with up to 150 girls participating in various multi-activity days, with Jenny and Natasha joining other leading female representatives from many industries including maritime, talking through the range of interesting and challenging jobs available to girls by studying STEM subjects.
Jenny explained “we’re so excited to be involved with the roadshow, networking with young women, sharing our experiences, answering questions and bringing to life the great opportunities there are in this industry beyond the traditional stereotype. What a privilege to play a small part in inspiring the next generation of female scientists and engineers.”
For further information contact jmatthews@sheofthesea.comor education@1851trust.org.uk
Photo features Jenny Matthews (www.SheoftheSea.com) and Kate Mardel (Project Leader and ex-super yacht Captain)