60 students from Gosforth Junior High Academy were part of the 1,200 schoolgirls who were given the opportunity to explore a bright future in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) following a flagship event introducing students to one of the fast-growing and dynamic sectors on their doorstep.
Young people from across the North East took part in the two-day EmPowerCyber event hosted by Newcastle United Foundation, combining practical and immersive STEM activities with thought-provoking workshops and insights from industry experts.
Working closely with the Foundation’s official technology partner, Sage, the leader in accounting, financial, HR and payroll technology for small and mid-sized businesses, the second EmPowerCyber event specifically engaging girls in STEM brought together 20 schools in the region to explore careers in cybersecurity and technology.
Hosted at St. James' Park, EmPowerCyber aims to inspire and educate girls about the vast potential of a career in the tech sector and arrives at a critical milestone in the lives of the young Year 8 students preparing to make their GCSE choices.
Inspiring activities include virtual reality escape rooms, codebreaking workshops, forensic investigation and digital security breach scenarios, app design, stenography and more.
Dawn Barber, Head of Business at Newcastle United Foundation, said: “EmPowerCyber is a key event in the Foundation’s extensive NU Futures programme provision and brings together hundreds of the region’s young people to meet with STEM industry experts based here in the North East.
“We are incredibly proud to provide unique, practical and purposeful experiences at EmPowerCyber to inspire the next generation of women and girls who will one day be shaping and leading the STEM sector.
“It is so important we support the growing number of women studying and working in STEM and EmPowerCyber is the perfect showcase to highlight the huge array of opportunities available.
“At Newcastle United Foundation, we are delighted to work with our technology partner Sage to make events like EmPowerCyber possible in our region and to ensure everyone has the tools and support they need to achieve their potential.”
You can read the full article about the event on the Newcastle United Foundation website.