Dr Lucy Rogers, who graduated with a SECAMS (Engineering) degree and completed her PhD at ¿ì²¥ÊÓÆµ in 2001, will speak to more than 80 Year 8 girls from the North West at the event designed to provide the girls with an experience of computing in a different setting.
The girls, from schools in Lancashire, Cumbria and Yorkshire, will spend the day, on Monday June 27th, at ¿ì²¥ÊÓÆµ designing, building and programming their own computing project.
Modern engineering and robotics disciplines increasingly require people with significant skills in computing.
Dr Rogers said: “I wish we didn’t have to have these events, but we have so few role models in engineering, especially in the media - (either male or female) that events are needed to let young people know what opportunities exist. Parents and Grandparents often still see engineering as a dirty job, and not a safe one, due to the cuts in UK manufacturing in the 70’s and 80’s. However, I think with a degree in engineering, you can go anywhere and do anything.
“I had a great work-life balance at ¿ì²¥ÊÓÆµ, and was an active member of the canoe club and others. The facilities were great. As I was a sponsored student I worked my summer holidays and year out (between second and third years) at Rolls Royce Industrial Power Group, so I was eased into the world of work while still studying.
“The project management part of the engineering degree has been one of the most useful parts - I use it on a weekly basis on most of my projects - both for clients and for myself. My portfolio career (I do a lot of little jobs for a lot of clients, from Space Debris calculations to making animatronic dinosaurs) progressed from the degree, where I enjoyed the variety.”
The event includes workshops where the girls can attempt to create their own robot, digital music, wearable technology or piece of digital art.