Aspiring female scientists wowed at St Mary’s chemistry event

As part of celebrations for British Science Week, budding scientists age 5-8 were wowed by colour-changing potions, magically inflating balloons, toothpaste for giants, indoor fireworks and magical dry ice at a Curious Chemists session at St Mary’s Lower School on Saturday 16 March.

Attended by St Mary’s pupils and primary-school age girls from the community, the event was designed to inspire the next generation of female scientists and to mark British Science Week, where the theme for 2024 was ‘smashing stereotypes’.

The children were wowed by exciting science experiments demonstrated to them in two special science shows, one of which was led by St Mary’s Principal, Mrs Nicola Griffiths aided by Lower School Head Girl, Lucy, in Year 6. Mrs Griffiths is a passionate about science and demonstrated this through a number of different experiments – the indoor fireworks were a particular hit!

Mrs Griffiths said: “I was thrilled to see so many girls attend our Curious Chemists event in honour of British Science Week. Their enthusiasm for the activities was evident and there was a real feeling of excitement and anticipation as they witnessed the various experiments. Our Lower School Head
Girl, Lucy, who will be moving up to Year 7 in September as a STEM Scholar due to her passion and talent for science, did a brilliant job of helping me on the day. Our science provision at St Mary’s sparks our pupils’ curiosity and this event was designed to foster high aspirations amongst girls in STEM, an area where women are still under-represented.”