Angela Malynn
Graduate Engineer, dispelled misconceptions regarding engineering to an all-female audience.
Why did you decide to become an Ambassador?
To promote engineering to young people, especially other females and to dispel general misconceptions about engineering.
On average, how much time do you commit to STEM Ambassador activities?
A few days for events every 6 months, excluding preparation time.
Describe the latest activity you were involved in.
A careers workshop for year 12 students at Henrietta Barnett Secondary School, an all girl school. We gave a short presentation explaining what engineering is, a ‘typical’ day in the life of an engineer and our routes into engineering. This was followed by a ‘challenge’ for the students to keep a marble moving for as long as possible using only newspaper and cellotape.
What was your role in this activity? What were you responsible for?
I liaised with the contact at the school and prepared and ran the workshop along with a colleague.
What do you feel were the positive outcomes for the pupils and teaching staff?
A better understanding of engineering in general and the opportunities available for a career in engineering.
What do you feel were the positive outcomes for yourself?
The students had to prepare a two minute presentation following the final workshop they attended,summarising what they had learned about that career for the other students. The students picked out all the main points we had mentioned throughout the presentation, and it felt great to realise they had listened and taken it all on board.
Do you have any tips for future STEM Ambassadors?
Try and make the subjects you are covering ‘real’ for the students and use examples they can relate to. If there is the opportunity for them to get involved and do something hands on then take it. Simple activities will be easier to run and manage, leaving you more time to engage with the students.
