Winners of the ninth annual Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics (STEAM) Challenge were crowned at an awards night at Bournemouth University.

Soroptimist International Bournemouth organised the contest for Year 8 and 9 girls with sponsorship from businesses including regional law firm Ellis Jones Solicitors and Bournemouth Water.

Teams were asked to design, research and build a product, with projects displayed at the awards night before the winners were announced.

The Year 8 winners were from Noadswood School, of Dibden Purlieu, Hythe, with their project Nutrition Aid and the runners-up were from Lytchett Minster School.

Canford School claimed a clean sweep of first and second in the Year 9 category, with the winners taking the honours for their project Trees-on.

Gail Thomas, honorary secretary of Soroptimist International Bournemouth, said: “Congratulations to everyone who took part.

“The standard of entries was excellent and the winners did well to triumph against some very tough competition.”

The aim of the annual challenge is to encourage girls to overcome gender-based barriers by selecting STEAM subjects and following related careers.

Dignitaries at the ceremony included the Lord-Lieutenant of Dorset Angus Campbell, mayors from local councils and sponsors, including Bournemouth Water and Ellis Jones.

Georgina Wright, marketing and events manager at Ellis Jones Solicitors, said: “It was a privilege to meet some incredibly talented, committed and intelligent young women with great futures ahead of them.

“It is important to challenge gender stereotypes and show that there are careers for women in traditionally male dominated industries and professions, including the law.

“At Ellis Jones we’re continually seeking ways to improve equality, diversity and inclusion, so it was a pleasure to once again support the SI Bournemouth with its STEAM Challenge.”

Soroptimist International is a worldwide organisation for professional and businesswomen which celebrates its centenary this year. Its aims are to enable, educate and empower women and girls all over the world.

Ellis Jones Solicitors has more than 170 staff, including 21 partners, in offices in Bournemouth, Poole, Ringwood, Swanage and Wimborne as well as London.

Earlier this year, on International Women’s Day, the firm revealed that more than three-quarters of its overall staff are female.



• www.ellisjones.co.uk

PICTURE:

GIRL POWER 2: Year 9 winners from Canford School at the STEAM awards ceremony. They are pictured with dignitaries including the Lord-Lieutenant of Dorset Angus Campbell, back row fifth from the right, and marketing and events manager Georgina Wright from sponsor Ellis Jones Solicitors front left.