Are you a girl aged 11-14 interested in STEM? Oxford University Department of Physics is running its third annual Marie Curious event, which we at Daily Info think should win a prize for the best-named event in Oxford! It’s a day for exploring science, technology, engineering and maths, for taking part in experiments and for meeting women who work in STEM.
The day starts with hands-on workshops, and this isn’t dumbed down science for kids – they’re covering topics including quantum computing and levitating superconductors (though rest assured there is also goo). A visit to St John’s College gives the chance to look round an Oxford College, but also to quiz a panel of scientists about their work and life. The Grand Finale is an action-packed science show.
Marie Curious is named for Marie Curie, the first woman to win a Nobel prize, and still the only person to win two Nobel prizes in different disciplines (Physics and Chemistry). She started from impoverished beginnings, faced sexism, racism and anti-Semitism, and health problems from her research, but this didn’t prevent her performing groundbreaking research, leaving an impressive legacy including the means to fight cancer with radiation. The event is timed to coincide with the UN’s ‘International Day of Women and Girls in Science’ on 11th February.
The Physics Department say the event is always popular, both with the girls who take part and the scientists who pass on their love of science. There are still places, and in case the event is oversubscribed girls from mixed, non-selective state schools will get priority.
