Two students from Banff & Buchan College travelled to London to make a presentation at the Big Bang, one of the UK’s largest science events.
Abbey Thomson, 15, who is studying at Mintlaw Academy and Gillian Swarbrigg, 18, a former student of the Gordon Schools, gave a joint presentation on how choosing to study energy as a subject has shaped their career choices.
The girls had both taken the Banff and Buchan’s Girls into Energy course, which is designed as an introductory course for female pupils who would like to explore a career in the energy industry.
The Big Bang event aims to show young people the exciting opportunities on offer if they study science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects at school.
Abbey and Gillian were invited by oil company Shell to speak in front of more than 400 guests at the Big Bang Supporters Dinner.
Abbey said: “It was quite scary going up but it went well.
“Before I started the Girls in Energy course I really didn’t know what career I wanted to do, but that’s changed.
“I thought that STEM-based careers, especially engineering, were boring and dirty, but now I think they offer loads of different opportunities for me.”
Gillian, who finished the energy course last year said: “Did the Girls in Energy course really influence my future? Yes! Currently, I am studying production engineering and management at the University of Strathclyde and I aspire to one day work in the energy sector.
“My course intake is still mostly male but year on year the percentage of girls is growing”.
When she meets people who are surprised at her choice of a career in engineering, Gillian explains that she was equally naive until she did the course and realises that many women are already working in the sector.
The Skills for Work Girls in Energy course is taught by Banff and Buchan College at Mintlaw, Peterhead, Turriff and Meldrum Academies.
More than 55 girls took the course last year.
Heather Sim, assessor at the College, said: “We are thrilled to be working with Shell on the Girls in Energy programme, and girls like Gillian and Abbey are proof that we can change the negative preconceptions surrounding science.
“We think that supporting STEM education is vital if we are to meet the future of energy challenge, and attracting more girls into STEM careers in particular will be critical for the Scottish and UK economy.”