More than 100 schoolgirls build 13m bridge at W5 in hands on initiative to connect females with STEM
The interactive science hub in Belfast hosted the inspirational initiative in collaboration with The Big Bridge, Design ID, and System Operator for NI (SONI) at the end of last week.
The pupils, all aged between 11 and 13 gathered at the Odyssey venue to take part in the hands-on, interactive travelling event that aims to ignite the spark of curiosity and instill confidence and ambition in the next generation of female creators.
Amy Dillion, project director at The Big Bridge and principal engineer at Design ID said she is proud to introduce young girls to the world of engineering.
"This event is about connecting female students with real engineers and showcasing the impact they can have on the world," she said.
"We are hoping to build a future that is more diverse, and celebrating International Women in Engineering Day (INWED) is a powerful way to recognise the fantastic talent we have in Northern Ireland.'
Spirit of Northern Ireland Awards 2025: A look behind the scenes
INWED takes place annually on June 23 to shine a spotlight on the vital role women play in engineering and technology industries that remain significantly dominated by males with just 11% of women counted among the workforce in NI.
There is a growing movement to change that statistic with increasing opportunities for girls to gain hands-on experience, mentorship, and meaningful exposure to female role models within STEM (science, technology, engineering, and maths).
Elaine Steele, who heads up learning and engagement at W5, is passionate about promoting the fact that 'STEM is for everyone' and hailed the event as a depiction of what is possible when educators, industry, and engineers come together.
"We're literally and figuratively building bridges by giving females the opportunity to explore engineering first-hand and connect with women thriving in the field,' she added.
'Events like this are crucial for helping young women realise that they belong in STEM.'
The ambitious project created an educational experience that blended real-world engineering, career insight, and inspirational mentorship in a supportive environment.
Emma Morris, director of operations at SONI – the electricity transmission system operator for NI – said she is proud to be involved in creating change.
'We are passionate about helping to develop the talent of the future and encourage young people, particularly women, into STEM careers, she said.
'Events like this are crucial as they help to show young people that engineering is an exciting, creative, and innovative career choice.
"It was great to see that so many pupils headed to W5, and we hope this event inspired them to consider a career in engineering.'
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Belfast Telegraph
7 days ago
- Belfast Telegraph
More than 100 schoolgirls build 13m bridge at W5 in hands on initiative to connect females with STEM
The interactive science hub in Belfast hosted the inspirational initiative in collaboration with The Big Bridge, Design ID, and System Operator for NI (SONI) at the end of last week. The pupils, all aged between 11 and 13 gathered at the Odyssey venue to take part in the hands-on, interactive travelling event that aims to ignite the spark of curiosity and instill confidence and ambition in the next generation of female creators. Amy Dillion, project director at The Big Bridge and principal engineer at Design ID said she is proud to introduce young girls to the world of engineering. "This event is about connecting female students with real engineers and showcasing the impact they can have on the world," she said. "We are hoping to build a future that is more diverse, and celebrating International Women in Engineering Day (INWED) is a powerful way to recognise the fantastic talent we have in Northern Ireland.' Spirit of Northern Ireland Awards 2025: A look behind the scenes INWED takes place annually on June 23 to shine a spotlight on the vital role women play in engineering and technology industries that remain significantly dominated by males with just 11% of women counted among the workforce in NI. There is a growing movement to change that statistic with increasing opportunities for girls to gain hands-on experience, mentorship, and meaningful exposure to female role models within STEM (science, technology, engineering, and maths). Elaine Steele, who heads up learning and engagement at W5, is passionate about promoting the fact that 'STEM is for everyone' and hailed the event as a depiction of what is possible when educators, industry, and engineers come together. "We're literally and figuratively building bridges by giving females the opportunity to explore engineering first-hand and connect with women thriving in the field,' she added. 'Events like this are crucial for helping young women realise that they belong in STEM.' The ambitious project created an educational experience that blended real-world engineering, career insight, and inspirational mentorship in a supportive environment. Emma Morris, director of operations at SONI – the electricity transmission system operator for NI – said she is proud to be involved in creating change. 'We are passionate about helping to develop the talent of the future and encourage young people, particularly women, into STEM careers, she said. 'Events like this are crucial as they help to show young people that engineering is an exciting, creative, and innovative career choice. "It was great to see that so many pupils headed to W5, and we hope this event inspired them to consider a career in engineering.'
Leader Live
22-06-2025
- Leader Live
First Minister Eluned Morgan visits Wrexham University
Eluned Morgan MS toured the Enterprise Engineering and Optics Centre (EEOC) during her visit to the campus, meeting students and staff and learning more about the university's ambitions under its recently launched 2030 Vision and Strategy. The EEOC, which is expected to be completed soon, is the first construction project under the North Wales Growth Deal. Professor Joe Yates, vice-chancellor of Wrexham University, said: "We were delighted to welcome the First Minister to the University today and proudly showcase our incredible facilities – in particular, our Enterprise Engineering and Optics Centre, which is due to open at the start of the next academic year in September, as well as our cutting-edge Health Simulation Centre. "The visit also provided us with a welcome opportunity to highlight our newly launched 2030 Vision and Strategy, and also shine a light on how higher education institutions have a crucial role to play in helping to shape a more resilient and prosperous Wales. READ MORE: Celebrate the class of 2025 with your prom photos "Our work in building skills but also strengthening and developing a bilingual public sector workforce in North Wales, and our civic mission, in terms of providing systems leadership, demonstrates the positive impact our institution has on the communities we serve. "Thank you to the First Minister for her time and engagement with us today – it was a pleasure to welcome her, and showcase just some of our fantastic work." The First Minister toured the EEOC, which will serve as a centre for industry collaboration, research, and innovation, with the aim of supporting growth in renewables and manufacturing. Her visit came days before International Women in Engineering Day on June 23. During the tour, Ms Morgan spoke with Selina Thomas, a final-year aeronautical and mechanical engineering student, who shared her work with KnitMesh Technologies. She has been investigating the impact strength of composite materials for the North Wales-based company. The First Minister also visited the university's Health Simulation Centre, which provides immersive training environments for healthcare students and professionals. Staff highlighted the university's role in strengthening the public sector workforce in North Wales, with a focus on Welsh language provision. Since launching its Welsh Language Academic Strategy and Action Plan, 'Cyfle,' nearly three years ago, the university has introduced Welsh language modules across several degree programmes. These include speech and language therapy, professional policing, and education. Ms Morgan was also updated on the next phase of development within the university's Health and Education Innovation Quarter (HEIQ). This phase will introduce new teaching facilities, including virtual and augmented reality environments. It will also feature a new teaching and learning lab and a hydra simulation suite, developed in partnership with the Hydra Foundation. The suite will be designed to help students build decision-making skills by simulating emergency scenarios. Ms Morgan said: "I was pleased to see first-hand the facilities at Wrexham University, especially the EEOC, which will soon become a vital hub for industry collaboration and skills development across North Wales. "Through their civic work, our higher education institutions can serve as powerful anchors in their communities, supporting business and unlocking collective action to tackle inequality while preparing students for the jobs of tomorrow."
Business News Wales
21-06-2025
- Business News Wales
First Minister Visits Wrexham University to Tour Trail-Blazing Facilities and Discuss Civic Impact
First Minister of Wales Eluned Morgan MS paid a visit to Wrexham University to view some of the institution's ground-breaking facilities, including the soon-to-be complete Enterprise Engineering and Optics Centre (EEOC) building – North Wales Growth Deal's first construction project. The First Minister met students and staff from a range of subject areas to hear all about the university's newly launched 2030 Vision and Strategy and its overarching ambition to become a world-leading, modern civic university. During the visit, the First Minister toured the trail-blazing EEOC development, which will become a specialist centre for industry engagement, research, and innovation, and will provide North Wales with a centre for collaboration and skills development in sustainability, renewables, and high value manufacturing. The First Minister's tour of the EEOC came just days before International Women in Engineering Day. She spent time speaking with Selina Thomas, a final-year Aeronautical and Mechanical Engineering student, who highlighted her work in supporting North Wales-based firm KnitMesh Technologies by investigating the impact strength of composites. She was also given the opportunity to view the university's Health Simulation Centre, where staff highlighted the institution's work in strengthening and developing the public sector workforce in North Wales, with Welsh language provision at the core of that. The First Minister heard how since launching 'Cyfle', the institution's Welsh Language Academic Strategy and Action Plan just under three years ago, Welsh language modules have been introduced to a number of degree courses including Speech and Language Therapy, Professional Policing, Education and more. Staff also updated the First Minister on progress relating to current works taking place on campus on the next phase of enhancing the University's Health and Education Innovation Quarter (HEIQ). She heard how the next phase will take the university's facilities to even further heights – ensuring that industry-leading technology is available to students' by creating a new immersive teaching environment, which will allow for a combination of both virtual and augmented reality. It will also include a Teaching and Learning Lab and a Hydrasimulation Suite – which is being developed in conjunction with the Hydra Foundation – that will help students with their critical decision-making skills, through simulation of emergency situations. The visit concluded with a positive discussion on the university's Civic Mission work, with a focus on how the institution is at the forefront of driving systemic change in the region through connecting partner organisations, sharing knowledge and unlocking collective action, all with the aim of helping to put an end to social inequality across North Wales by 2030. Professor Joe Yates, Vice-Chancellor of Wrexham University, said: 'We were delighted to welcome the First Minister to the university and proudly showcase our incredible facilities – in particular, our Enterprise Engineering and Optics Centre, which is due to open at the start of the next academic year in September, as well as our cutting-edge Health Simulation Centre. 'The visit also provided us with a welcome opportunity to highlight our newly launched 2030 Vision and Strategy, and also shine a light on how higher education institutions have a crucial role to play in helping to shape a more resilient and prosperous Wales. Our work in building skills but also strengthening and developing a bilingual public sector workforce in North Wales, and our Civic Mission, in terms of providing systems leadership, demonstrates the positive impact our institution has on the communities we serve. 'Thank you to the First Minister for her time and engagement with us – it was a pleasure to welcome her, and showcase just some of our fantastic work.' First Minister Eluned Morgan MS added: 'I was pleased to see first-hand the facilities at Wrexham University, especially the EEOC, which will soon become a vital hub for industry collaboration and skills development across North Wales. 'Through their civic work, our higher education institutions can serve as powerful anchors in their communities, supporting business and unlocking collective action to tackle inequality while preparing students for the jobs of tomorrow.'
