Girls in Physics Event
On Thursday the school hosted a Girls into Physics and Engineering event organised by the Institute of Physics (IOP). 22 S2 & S3 girls from the Academy were joined by girls from Milburn, Charleston, Dingwall, Tain, Fortrose & Farr. The participants rotated round 7 different workshops delivered by Dundee, Strathclyde, Glasgow and Aberdeen Universities along with the University of the Highlands and the Navy. Many topics were covered including optics, detection of different molecules on exoplanets, structural engineering, particle accelerators and remotely operated drones. All activities involved some hands-on experience as well as the opportunity to ask questions. Feedback from participants was very positive and Iain Moore, the Scotland chair of the IOP stated:
“What a well-run, welcoming event, with excellent engagement from the students attending, many of whom drove an hour and some 3 hours, to get there.
I haven’t seen the feedback yet but it was a real pleasure to see the girls getting on with curiosity and enthusiasm at tech, engineering and physics-y things”.
The aim of this event was to address and overcome the cultural misconception that physics and engineering are only for boys and is part of the IOP’s Limitless campaign. The UK has, as a percentage, around the least number of female professional engineers within Europe. Girls attainment in Physics at the school is on a par if not better than their male counterparts so it would be great to see more girls in the Physics and Engineering Science departments leading to the many rewarding careers in STEM beyond school.
Well done to all those involved! 
Check out our photos in the photo gallery!
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Family Learning @ Inverness Royal Academy - Katherine MacInnes