WIREDGOV

Jane Hutt will try her hand at building her own wind turbine from scratch alongside 30 Year 9 girls from 10 secondary schools from across Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan.

The workshop is part of a programme at the Discover! Saturday Club- a science-based activity club designed to offer girls a hands-on insight into careers relating to science, technology, construction and engineering.

 The programme, this week held at the School of Engineering in Cardiff University, is now in its sixth week (of eight). So far, the girls have taken part in activities that have given them an insight into biosciences, architecture, astronomy, energy conservation and solar power, and medical engineering.

The Minister for Finance and Equalities, Jane Hutt, said:

“I am looking forward to the challenge of the Discover! Saturday Club, and of course meeting these enthusiastic young women who are spending their free time learning about the industries so often dominated by men.

“The Welsh Government is working on the under representation of women in positions of authority, and continues to challenge gender stereotypes.  This programme is very important as it does exactly that, while inspiring and encouraging our Welsh pioneering women of the future.

“I am proud to say that this is a “made in Wales” programme that has no equivalent anywhere else in the UK.

“International Women’s Day is celebrated around the world this Thursday (March 8) and it marks women and girls coming together to highlight issues, but also to celebrate achievements.  That is why I think the visit today is perfectly timed to congratulate the club members on their achievements and wish them well for pursuing future careers in this area.”

Each week the sessions are supported by female scientists and engineers and other role-models. 

Saturday Clubs have long been an important element of the various projects run by the Education Business Partnership (EBP) of Careers Wales Cardiff and Vale. 

This scheme has been rolled out throughout Wales and now all six Careers Wales regions offer the opportunities created by the Discover! Clubs.

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