It’s moments like this that I realise the true purpose of setting up RSA Discovery way back in 2019 – this blog I’ve recently put together makes me burst with pride for these young women embarking upon their careers and bringing diversity to the STEM world.
I have supported each of these young women at some stage during their science education - through key stage three, GCSE’s or A-level Biology. We have a future Clinical Embryologist, Aerospace Engineer and Clinical Psychologist!
I hope you find as much joy reading as I did creating this piece on what inspired these awesome women to get into their fields, the importance of women being part of this and why they think learning science from a young age is so important. Enjoy!
Hannah
What inspired you Hannah to get into science and what are you currently working towards?
"I have always enjoyed science at school, especially human biology. I chose to take biology at A-level as it was my favourite subject during my GCSEs. After that, I went on to study Biomedical Science at degree level and from writing a dissertation on increasing fertility in Cystic Fibrosis suffers discovered that my passion lies in Reproductive medicine. I am currently working towards a master's in Reproductive medicine in the hope of working in an IVF lab as a clinical embryologist in the near future."
Why do you think having more girls entering your field of study Hannah is important?
"I believe it is important to have more women in reproductive medicine as it is a subject that focuses heavily on the female body and how it works. I think many women seeking fertility help would prefer to see a female specialist as they have a better understanding of the female body. There are many experienced men within the field who are very good at their jobs, some of whom I have had the pleasure of being lectured by: the head gynaecologist at the Woman’s Institute London, for example, and I believe having more women in the field would supplement this by providing an alternative perspective."
What science qualifications have you gained so far in your journey Hannah and how were you supported by Rupa?
"I have A-Level's in Biology, Chemistry and Maths. I chose to retake my biology A-level after leaving sixth form and Rupa supported me by providing 1-2-1 tutoring before I resat my exams. From this, I achieved the grades needed to be accepted into the University of Kent where I achieved a First Class degree with Honours in Biomedical Science. Since then, I have been studying an MSc in Reproductive medicine and I am currently writing my Dissertation focusing of the Maternal Age Effect."
Padi
What inspired you Padi to get into science and what are you currently working towards?
"My family is really what inspired me to go into science. All the adults in my family are good at mathematics so I was always encouraged down that root of maths and science. And it also helped that I was inquisitive from a young age and so to satisfy my curiosity science was the natural way to go. I have just finished my A level and will start a degree in aerospace engineering at the University of Southampton from this September."
Why do you think having more girls entering your field of study Padi is important?
"Representation in any form of career or in media is very important as we now know. Growing up I didn't see many if any women go into the aerospace field, especially from a Nigerian raised background. This can be incredibly disheartening for many young girls. If young girls can't see other female scientists and engineers it will be hard for them to believe they could do that career one day. Also, companies now know the value of having a diverse workforce as this means new ideas and perspectives, therefore, increasing productivity."
What science qualifications have you gained so far in your journey and how were you supported by Rupa’s science tutoring?
"In my GCSE I received an 8 in biology, a 9 in chemistry and a 9 in physics. I was tutored by Miss Rupa for GCSE sciences and she really helped me as I went from a 6 to a 9 in chemistry and really helped my biology which I will admit wasn't my favourite subject. I am a visual learner so she curated her teaching to my style by utilising PowerPoints, videos and whiteboards so I could really understand the content. I just wrote my A-level's and achieved AAB which is what I needed to go to university!"
Bo
What inspired you Bo to get into science and what are you currently working towards?
"When I was deciding my A-Levels I wasn’t sure what career I wanted to pursue, and I felt that having one science would keep my options open. I choose the science that I was best at – Biology. When I started to look at career options I found Clinical Psychology and after doing some research, decided that was what I’d like to study at University. I’m hoping to become a Clinical Psychologist, working in the NHS. I have been offered a place at Plymouth University, on their 5-year integrated masters degree."
Why do you think having more girls entering your field of study Bo is important?
"A lot of women choose Psychology as a degree and 80% of Clinical Psychologists are women, but in science careers overall women tend to be under-represented and it’s important to ‘see’ yourself in a career. The medical field in particular is dominated by men which can lead to disparities in treatment between men and women, so it’s really important that women are represented in all aspects of the medical field, including mental health."
What science qualifications have you gained so far in your journey Bo and how were you supported by Rupa’s science tutoring?
"Biology grade 7 which enabled me to take Biology for A-Level. I was good at memorising the factual aspects of science, but I struggled with the maths and practical questions and Rupa’s science tutoring meant that I could fill these gaps and prevent them from affecting my overall grade. For my Biology A-level recently I achieved a grade A!"
I asked all of these wonderful women – ‘Do you think learning science from age 6 – 11 (at primary level) is a good idea? If so, why?’
Here’s what they came back with…
"Yes, I think it’s really important to introduce children to science early. It’s good to make it fun so that children are less intimidated by science when it’s introduced at a more intensive level at secondary school."
Bo
"The number of girls going into aerospace engineering is definitely lacking and this lack stems from childhood. Young boys who show promise and intelligence, from a young age are pushed by their teachers and parents to really work hard however the same effort isn't put into young girls who show just as much promise. Teaching children science in primary school is very important as it opens up a world of possibilities for these young girls and it gives them the opportunity to show they are just as capable as their male counterparts."
Padi
"Yes, I think all young children should learn science to gain an understanding of the world. Science is happening all the time, all around us and we would not be alive without all the biological processes being carried out inside our bodies every second of every day. Therefore, I think science is one of the most important topics to teach primary school children, by carrying out fun experiments that will engage them and help them develop a love for the subject from a young age."
Hannah
If you enjoyed reading this post as much as I enjoyed tutoring and mentoring these wonderful women who are about to go into the world of STEM then give it share - after all, you can't be what you can't see!
Rupa Ahluwalia is the founder of RSA Discovery and passionate about getting young people into science. She is a fully qualified science teacher, with a Science PGCE from Oxford University, and has been working in schools and educational businesses for over 10 years. She has been offering science tutoring, consultancy and primary science workshops since opening her business in 2019. Rupa is also currently a Lightyear Labs Lead for the Lightyear Foundation and has received training for introductory Makaton and ways to engage young SEN people into science.
To connect with Rupa to explore these key services, just email rsadiscovery@outlook.com.
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