Extracting DNA from strawberries was just one of a host of exciting activities on offer to local primary school pupils at a Loughborough College’s Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (WiSTEM) event.
Led by College Sixth Form science lecturer Lucy Naylor, the laboratory-based activity also saw 28 Year 5 and 6 girls from Swithland St Leonard’s CE, Booth Wood, Ratby, St Winefrides Catholic and Elizabeth Woodville primary schools model DNA structures using ‘gummy bears’ and create adapted creatures, designed to survive in harsh environments.
Loughborough College’s WiSTEM strategy aims to engage local female school students from an early age, encouraging greater numbers of women to study and work in the field. It is part of a wider initiative at the College dedicated to providing both high quality education in STEM and to working with community partners to offer a range of inspiratlonal and valuable opportunities which enhance learning and drive STEM success across the region.
College STEM lead, Des Gentleman said: “The pupils were thrilled to have the chance to conduct great experiments using our fantastic facilities.
“It was great to see nine and ten year old girls really enjoying laboratory-based science work. Every one of them loved it and was eager to do more.
“At the close of one session, a Year 5 participant said to her teacher, ‘I really, really, really, really loved it; times a million. Can we come back tomorrow?’ Her views encapsulate the consistently positive feedback received from teachers and pupils alike.
“The activity was a great success and we look forward to continuing to partner with schools and employers to develop stimulating, project-based STEM learning opportunities.”
Pictured: Swithland St Leonard’s CE Primary School pupils Isabelle Owen and Evelyn White show off their ‘gummy bear’ DNA models to science lecturer Lucy Naylor at Loughborough College’s Women in STEM event