Inspiring Girls in STEM Challenge Day at Futures Institute Banbury

The Girls in STEM Day kicked off with a motivating talk from a female ambassador at the Engineering Trust, setting the tone for an exciting challenge ahead – “Whatever Floats Your Boat!” Our amazing ambassadors took the lead, guiding the younger students through the challenge.

This event was driven by recent Student Voice feedback calling for a stronger sense of belonging for our female students, and we couldn’t be prouder of how they turned that into meaningful action.

The Girls in STEM Day was more than just an engineering challenge – it was about representation, empowerment and the power of mentorship. As part of the Aspirations Academies Trust, Futures Institute Banbury is committed to nurturing curiosity, creativity and critical thinking in all students, with a particular focus on encouraging more girls to pursue opportunities in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects.

Throughout the day, teams worked together to design, build and test model boats using limited resources – a fun and practical way to apply scientific and mathematical concepts to real-world problem-solving. Along the way, our Girl STEM Ambassadors supported and encouraged the younger students, demonstrating leadership and creating a safe, inclusive environment for exploration and experimentation.

Promoting Girls in STEM at Aspirations

STEM education is a key pillar of the Aspirations Academies Trust’s belief in preparing students for the future world of work. Across its schools, the Trust fosters project-based learning and cross-disciplinary thinking, ensuring students are equipped not just with knowledge but with the ability to collaborate and innovate. Girls in STEM Day at Futures Institute perfectly embodied this ethos, offering an authentic experience that connected learning to real-life skills.

The event also played a crucial role in strengthening our local education community, bringing together pupils from Dashwood Banbury Academy and Harriers Banbury Academy for a day of learning and fun. Teachers and visitors alike noted the high levels of engagement, teamwork and creativity on display.

“Overall, the whole day was really successful,” said Year 10 Ambassador Nadini Jayalath Arambage (14). “We bonded well as a group and were able to speak to some of the primary girls to encourage them to want to do engineering in the future. I was happy to be able to take part in the event and to show the girls this side of STEM”

As the day came to a close, every participant left with a sense of accomplishment, a new perspective on STEM, and – hopefully – the spark of ambition to pursue further study in these fields. Events like this highlight the power of student-led initiatives and show how small ideas, fuelled by passion and purpose, can create real change.

Congratulations all round

Reflecting on the success of the day and the enthusiasm of all involved, Associate Assistant Principal at the Banbury campus, Simon Sterland said, “Watching our Girl STEM Ambassadors lead with such confidence and enthusiasm was so inspiring. They not only showcased their own skills but also created a welcoming and empowering environment for the younger girls to explore STEM. The energy in the room was fantastic – full of curiosity, teamwork and problem-solving. It’s clear that when students see themselves represented in these subjects, their engagement and ambition take off. This event was a brilliant example of what can happen when student engagement drives real change, and we’re excited to build on this momentum moving forward.”

We are proud of our Girl STEM Ambassadors and look forward to seeing even more students take part in future STEM opportunities across the Trust.