11 March 2021
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Star Refrigeration is working in collaboration with STEMAZING and World Refrigeration Day to create a network of STEM Ambassadors to expand the horizons of children and young people by exposing them to a wide range of opportunities available within the engineering sector.
The STEMAZING Inspiration Academy will support women working in STEM industries worldwide and help promote the careers on offer to inspire the next generation of engineers and scientists. The programme will provide female participants with the skills and confidence to deliver a series of engaging STEM workshops for primary school children.
After recently taking part in the STEMAZING Inspiration Academy’s first online training session, Star Refrigeration Design Engineer Sophie Hoggan said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to learn and grow as part of a diverse global team of STEM ambassadors. It was great to see so many women taking part, who are eager to spread the message about what amazing industries engineering and science really are.”
Star Refrigeration’s Brooke McKenna said: “I feel very fortunate to have been selected to participate in the programme, which is all about STEM outreach to inspire the next generation. Many young children might not have a female role model in a STEM career within their immediate family or close circle of friends. The STEMAZING Inspiration Academy will allow us to show them that there are no boundaries to the type of career girls can pursue in the future.”
Star has also provided additional funding support to guarantee places for five women from Africa on the STEMAZING programme. The selected participants are refrigeration and air conditioning engineers working across the African continent, who will gain the skills and confidence to become role models for local school children.
45 female STEM professionals from the UK, Europe and Africa will take part in the STEMAZING Inspiration Academy webinar training programme, which runs from March to June 2021. The selected participants will benefit from expert coaching in communication and presentation skills, enabling them to shine when they deliver inspiring STEM workshops for school children.
After completing their online training, each STEMAZING Ambassador will link up with a local primary school to deliver a six-week series of interactive STEM workshops. The STEMAZING Kids Club sessions will give children aged 5 to 9 years the opportunity to engage in simple and fun STEM-based activities.
Alexandra Knight, Founder and Director of the not-for-profit organisation STEMAZING, said: “We are extremely grateful to everyone at Star for their generous support with the programme and are delighted to welcome Sophie and Brooke to the STEMAZING Inspiration Academy. By empowering women in STEM to excel at public engagement, we are inspiring the next generation and investing in our collective futures.”
For more information, visit STEMAZING
