Category Archives: engineering and maths

The wonder of Professor Brian Cox and female role models

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Comment by Professor Pooran Wynarczyk:

 I am sure there are few people who don’t know who Professor Brian Cox is but how many have heard of Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock?

Since 2011 there has been a surge in the take up of science and maths A- Levels, and this has been attributed to the popularity of the physics professor and TV presenter, Brian Cox, a prime example of the effect exposure to positive role models can have. 

And as International Women’s Day approaches I have one message: we must stop focussing on the under representation of women in business, and celebrate the great role models we have to get more women into science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) subjects.

When people asked to name a female scientist, most come up with ‘Marie Curie’. This is not to  deny the fact  that she was truly a  remarkable  woman  but there are many other  women around the world whose  accomplishments  should be made more visible.

I have picked five inspirational women to highlight the great work and impact women are making to our scientific world:

1. Pamela Ann Melroy (Former NASA Astronaut)
2. Maggie Aderin-Pocock (TV Presenter, Do We Need the Moon?)
3. Dr Helen Czerski  (Physicist,    TV Presenter, Orbit: Earth’s Extraordinary Journey)
4. Professor Alice Roberts (Anatomist, Author and  TV Presenter,  Incredible Human Journey) 
5. Dr Aarathi Prasad (Former research scientist in cancer genetics who now works in science policy and journalism)

A key area of my research interest – or rather a ‘wonder’ – is the reasons behind the gender divide in the take up of STEM subjects.  And from my and many others’ research one key reason is clear: a severe lack of visible female role models. 

An issue at the heart of the debate over the gender divide in STEM subjects is the portrayal of female role models: they are largely invisible, and have been for a long time. 

We need to open our eyes and see the adverse effect negative labelling of women in scientific and technological fields, and in turn the lack of female role models, is having on the current labour market. A lack of exposure, as well as a lack of genuine representation, risks a very dangerous self-fulfilling prophecy. That is to say, if we focus too much on under-representation, we miss the opportunity to inspire the next generation through shining examples of women in science and technology.

Existing research claims that exposure to positive  role models during the critical junctures, i.e. earlier years of education, has a positive influence on self efficacy and, hence, inspiring future career choices. 
Female role models are incredibly important as they allow individuals to showcase their achievements and could encourage more girls to get involved in business – especially in areas such as science and technology which have traditionally been associated with men.
 
More often than not, the news that is hitting the headlines focuses on gender imbalance, stereotype beliefs and the under-representation of women in business. This in itself can mask advancements that are being made, which in turn discourages women from reaching high positions beyond the glass ceiling.  

If existing women scientists continue to remain largely ‘invisible’ and not seen to be enjoying a rewarding and progressive career, combined with being unrecognised for their contribution to scientific and technological advancement, they are unlikely to be able to act as role models and serve the purpose of further recruitment and retention.

Some may argue that by highlighting the under-representation and barriers to participation for women entering STEM subjects and careers, aids awareness and policy making. 

I would say that this provides little support to those employed, or planning to enter STEM   professions. On the contrary, it can have an adverse effect, and may actually discourage girls and women from pursuing education and careers in these fields.

My research has revealed the ambitious, invisible, female role models that can be engaged to promote a greater uptake of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

And with International Woman’s Day in mind, I want to call out for more inspirational woman to seize the spot light like Brian Cox. 

Who would make your top five?

 

Gateshead students take the chequered flag at F1 in Schools North East England Regional Finals 2013

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Newcastle University Business School hosted this year’s regional finals, which saw a team of students from Emmanuel College, Gateshead, celebrate a win.  The winning team are through to the F1 in Schools™ UK National Finals after an intense and hard-fought North East England Regional Finals. This Formula One™ inspired educational challenge has captured the imagination of students up and down the country and with a place on the grid at the F1 in Schools World Finals 2013 to be held in Austin, Texas for the UK National Champions, every team put in hundreds of hours of work in their pursuit of the prize.
 
Red Kite Racing, a team from Emmanuel College with team members: Emily Miller, Team Manager, Elliott Johnson, Design Engineer; Jack Collier, Design Engineer and Rhys Rogers, Manufacturing Engineer, proved that hard work pays off as they collected the 1st Place F1Class trophy, as well as the Best Engineered Car Award and Fastest F1 Car Award, with the team’s car racing down the track in a time of 1.166 seconds.
 
Elliott Johnson said of the team’s success, “I think we took the top award because there was a lot of teamwork, working to our strengths, many hours of hard work put into our design, our presentation and sponsorship. Now we’re looking to the National Finals and hoping to improve our design for it. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to be going there, so we’re really looking forward to it.”
 
Red Kite Racing were one of three teams who raced to victory at the Regional Final and will be representing their school at the F1 in Schools UK National Finals which takes place at the Big Bang Fair, ExCel, London on 15 and 16 March.
 
F1 in Schools challenges students to create their own Formula One team which is commissioned to design, construct and race the fastest miniature Formula One Car of the Future; a 21cm long scale model built from a block of balsa wood and powered by a compressed air cylinder. Each team of between three and six students creates a ‘pit’ display at the Regional Final and showcases their work in developing their race car, with a verbal and written presentation for the judges. The teams then race their model cars on a specially designed 20 metre test track, with the cars covering the distance in just over one second.
 
The competition links closely to the research of Professor Pooran Wynarczyk, of Newcastle University Business School, who studies gender within innovation, and the uptake of STEM subjects. 
 
Professor Pooran Wynarczyk, director of the Small Enterprise Research Unit at Newcastle University Business School, commented:
 
“Working with the F1 in Schools UK team to host the regional finals at the Business School is a highly valuable exercise, as it brings together research and practical learning to enhance a young person’s education.
 
“My research is all about encouraging, and increasing the uptake of, young people into the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), and allowing them to realise the potential careers, and paths to such careers, that sit within these subject areas.
 
“It’s always an enjoyable and exciting atmosphere at the event for everyone, and we hope the activities of the day translate into a buzz of new ideas and enthusiasm, from the pupils, towards STEM subjects and activities.”

In addition to representing their country at the World Finals, the F1 in Schools UK Champions and runners up will receive tickets to the 2013 FORMULA 1 BRITISH GRAND PRIX at Silverstone. The National Champions will also win a Red Bull Racing F1 team factory tour and a TW STEEL Watch for each team member.
 
Andrew Denford, Founder and Chairman, F1 in Schools, said of this week’s North East England Regional Finals, “We’re experiencing significant growth in the schools entering the challenge this season and the standards are extremely high. The students had to cope with the nerves of presenting to a panel of judges and the pressures of putting their models to the test against the best of the region and all the teams put up a great fight, with only a few points separating the top contenders for a place at the National Finals”.
 
Denford adds, “The challenge not only tests the students in many key areas of educational study such as the STEM subjects, but gives them an opportunity to gain experience of many life skills which will be invaluable in their future careers.”
 
The North East England regional finals took place with the assistance of a host of sponsors and supporters. Amongst these are the IET, Denford, and City University London all of whom are continuing their support of F1 in Schools for the coming year.

Photos from the day can be found by clicking here >

 

Professor and research cited as example of good practice

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PROFESSOR Pooran Wynarczyk, director of the Small Enterprise Unit (SERU) at Newcastle University Business School, and her work on the Formula One in Schools Technology Challenge has been acknowledged in a new national report,  launched  at  ‘Higher education & the third sector: Making access to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) happen’  conference in London.

The report entitled ‘Unblocking the pipeline: How the third sector can increase higher education participation in STEM,  sponsored by the National  Higher Education STEM  Programme, refers to Professor Wynarczyk’s ‘role-model platform for young scientists initiative’ as an example of good practice.

The platform builds upon a key strand of Professor Wynarczyk’s research that assesses participation in STEM information education and extra curricula activities, and the impact this has on future education and career aspirations amongst young people.

Her research in this area links closely with the Formula One in Schools Technology Challenge, a global STEM initiative that seeks to provide a multi-disciplinary learning experience through the appeal of Formula One, with the purpose of  promoting  a positive  perception of STEM, particularly amongst the younger generation. 

The North East Regional Finals of the Challenge was held at the Business School in February this year, where over 80 pupils from schools around the North East took part to collaborate, test, manufacture and then race miniature Formula One cars.

Professor Wynarczyk commented:

“I am delighted that the research and work we’ve been carrying out at Newcastle University Business School has been cited within this recent report.

“The initiative and the annual competition we host at the Business School is always a hugely successful activity where we see many of the region’s young people put on a display of their scientific and creative talents.

“The research is part of a wider goal to engage higher education institutions, like Newcastle University, with young people to help encourage and grow their interest in the areas of science, maths and technology.”