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DUNTON, UK – Did you know that Ford Philanthropy and Loughborough University have been partnering for eight years to encourage teenage girls to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM)?
Recently, Ford Philanthropy funded a special Athena STEM three-night residential experience at Loughborough which gave 50 year 10 students (aged 14-15) a unique and inspirational insight into studying STEM at university level.
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Students working on their group project at Loughborough University (Photos: Loughborough University, Creative and Print Service)
The students stayed in university halls of residence, attended academic taster sessions, and took part in social activities, all to experience life as a university student.
Student attendees also were set a challenge to design their own sustainable island for a community of 40 families. They applied what they had learned in their academic taster sessions to think of creative solutions to challenges facing the world today – such as renewable energy sources, sustainable transport and educating the next generation.
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Ford's Vineet Atwal delivered a talk and QA session about her journey into STEM (Photo: Loughborough University, Creative and Print Service)
One Athena student said: “I really enjoyed the Athena Island project because it was a chance to be creative while using science to solve real-world problems. Designing a sustainable island made me think differently about things like energy and transport. It wasn’t just about learning facts – it was about applying them.”
Ford’s Vineet Atwal hosted one of the workshops. She told @Ford: “It was a pleasure to take part in this initiative and engage with students to increase their awareness of opportunities in the automotive field.”
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Students using the new Digilabs space at Loughborough University (Photo: Loughborough University, Creative and Print Service)
Lorna Powell, Outreach Manager at the University, said: “Seeing the students grow in confidence as they progressed through the week was a pleasure to see. Speaking with the students, some already had big ideas for what their futures hold, whereas for others, the residential inspired new ideas and ambitions. Thank you again to Ford Philanthropy for continuing to fund this activity for the eighth year.”
Judith Kleinemeyer, Ford Philanthropy Europe, said: “This project is truly vital for us! It's a powerful and engaging way to show young girls, firsthand, that STEM is absolutely for them. We hope it inspires them to confidently explore their interests, embrace their unique talents, and bravely forge their own incredible paths.”
