BioCity, the pioneering life science incubator and business collective is set to open its doors to one hundred young women from local schools on Tuesday 08 October 2019.
BioCity will be joined by Rolls Royce, The British Army, Twycross Zoo, Boots UK, Sygnature Discovery, XenoGesis and Azotic Technologies in welcoming female students to mark the tenth anniversary of Ada Lovelace Day. The event, co-created and supported by Ignite Futures, Nottingham Trent University and STEM Hub will see students from across Nottinghamshire take part in science, technology, engineering and maths-based activities led by women in industry.
Founded in 2009 by Suw Charman-Anderson in response to a lack of female visibility within STEM, Ada Lovelace Day is now recognised internationally. Every second Tuesday in October, events are held across the globe, which are designed to increase the visibility of women in STEM and create new role models for those considering their career options.
BioCity’s Ada Lovelace Day will take place at MediCity Nottingham which is situated within the Boots headquarters and is one of BioCity’s five UK locations. From the campus where Boots’ pharmaceuticals and cosmetics were originally formulated, BioCity will host a day of events which showcases the plethora of modern STEM careers choices open to women; giving students hands-on not hypothetical experience.
Toby Reid, CEO,, BioCity said, “This is our second Ada Lovelace Day, and this year we are making it even bigger. We have doubled the number of young women joining us for the day and are collaborating with leading organisations across our region who can give students experience in technology, engineering and maths alongside our science-based workshops.
“Everyday we at BioCity work with women who are taking on global health and environmental challenges, they are real role models who prove that careers in STEM are attainable for women. We put out an open call to our collective, asking for volunteers to get involved in this year’s Ada Lovelace Day and have been overwhelmed by the response.”
Clare Stafford, External Communications Senior PR Manger Boots UK and Chair of the Women of WBA UK Business Resource Group commented, “From pharmacy to formulation and IT, there are a huge number of careers in STEM available at Walgreens Boots Alliance and we’re looking forward to taking part in Ada Lovelace Day to have fun and help inspire girls and women to reach their desired potential.”
BioCity-based Sygnature Discovery, Azotic Technologies and XenoGesis, alongside event partners, Rolls Royce, The British Army, Twycross Zoo and Boots UK, will run interactive experiences allowing the students to gain insights into the world of STEM, including:
“The Drug Discovery Game” by BioCity, Sygnature Discovery and XenoGesis. Students will experience the process of creating new medicines, developing compounds and paying submission fees to discover the success of their invention.
“Future Food” by Azotic Technologies. Students will look at food scarcity and the use of sustainable fertilisers and how future careers in STEM could tackle the environmental challenges which are now emerging.
“Bridge Building” by Walgreens Boots Alliance an interactive session to help students gain experience of working in a project environment and the opportunity to find out more about apprenticeships and early years careers in STEM.
Although celebrated internationally, Ada Lovelace Day has particular significance for the East Midlands. Nottingham-born Lovelace, who was shortlisted as the potential face of the new £50 note earlier this year, is recognised as the first computer programmer due to her work on the analytical engine. BioCity’s Ada Lovelace Day is simultaneously a celebration of pioneering women in STEM and the heritage of Nottinghamshire as a leading area from scientific and technological discovery.
For further information go tohttps://biocity.co.uk/news/#mce_temp_url#
Submitted on 04/10/2019
