Heatherton celebrates British Science Week with parent doctors

Heatherton pupils were visited by some familiar faces last week to celebrate British Science Week. A number of parents from across year groups generously volunteered their time to talk about their work as doctors, opening our girls’ eyes to a range of new fields and careers.

With such a talented parent community, Heatherton girls were able to enjoy talks from a wide range of scientific fields. From Dr Skinner’s exploration of brain development and Dr Wakefield’s introduction to radiography, to Year 6’s hands-on discussion about the lungs and circulation with Dr Hillson, our girls took part in lots of mini experiments that taught them more about the world of medicine.

Year 2 and Year 4 had visits from experts in the pharmaceutical field, with Year 4 receiving an exciting talk from Dr Abeyewickreme and his work in medicine development. Year 2 explored how software development, art and science can all be interlinked, as Dr Abe-Sinclair discussed her fascinating work in helping pharmaceutical companies develop medicine faster to reach more people in less time. This was a great reminder that a career in STEM does not mean having to neglect creativity and art, and that many careers combine them all!

Even our nursery children joined in the excitement, and enjoyed a from Dr Windridge who taught them all about different states of matter through a range of tactile activities. Dr Windridge also spoke to Year 5, expanding this topic into her fascinating work in a plasma laboratory.

It was deeply inspiring to be able to welcome so many female doctors into the School, proving to Heatherton girls that their gender should never hold them back from a career in STEM. Our parent visitors make fine role models of the tenacity, passion and confidence that we help every Heatherton girl to feel.

Thank you to every parent who came in and sparked new exciting ideas for every Heatherton pupil.