International Women and Girls in Science Day

International Women and Girls in Science Day is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year with the theme Unpacking STEM careers: Her Voice in Science.

The event will explore the critical role of women in scientific innovation.

According to government workforce data in 2023 female employees accounted for 43.7% of the total workforce of science professionals.

To celebrate International Women and Girls in Science Day we asked girls from Overton Grange School in Sutton who their favourite female scientists are, and why.

Lateefah – year 12

My favourite female scientist is Marie Curie because she embodies intelligence, resilience and ground-breaking innovation in science. For example, she spent years conducting experiments under difficult conditions. Her relentless research led to the discovery of radium and polonium. This is very inspiring. 

Rubini – year 12

Asha De Vos isn’t just a marine biologist – she has broken barriers in marine science to make a real impact on ocean conservation and she is the ‘mother’ for blue whales. I study science to become an Asha De Vos.

Endu – year 12

Esther Lederberg played a huge part in determining how genes are regulated, along with the process of making RNA from DNA. Her husband was awarded the 1958 Nobel Prize for medicine for his wife’s discoveries. I study science to prove that women are just as intelligent as men.

Aya – year 12

Samira Ibrahim Islam is a Saudi Arabian pharmaceutical scientist. I like her because she is so successful in her life. Her actions were a turning point for all women in Saudi Arabia after she successfully secured a formal university education for them. She is also responsible for opening the first faculty of Nursing in Saudi Arabia and is on the board of the Arab Science and Technology Foundation and received a Makkah Award of Excellence for her contributions to science and research.

Becky Fylypczuk, the Head of Science, says the science department works hard to provide all students with the skills they need to be successful in the sciences.

She said: “Previous students have gone on to study a wide range of science courses at university and have careers in medicine, plant science, forensics and cancer research, to name just a few. We are proud to have our alumni representing Women in Science.”