A ground-breaking event aimed at inspiring young girls to consider careers in aviation and aerospace took place at Spaceport Cornwall, drawing over 1,000 attendees. The Reach for the Sky Festival, organized by TECgirls, offered 500 girls hands-on experiences to envision bold futures in industries where women are significantly underrepresented.
Interactive Exhibits and Role Models
Attendees engaged with more than 20 interactive exhibits, including:
- Rocket launches and flight simulators
- Drone demos and AI coding
- LEGO robotics and a giant travelling museum by Discovering 42
Girls had the unique opportunity to sit in real aircraft cockpits, converse with female pilots and engineers, and meet inspiring role models from the aviation and aerospace sectors.
Collaborative Success
The festival was made possible through the support of numerous organizations and over 100 volunteers, including RAF Cadets, Girl Guides, and Cornwall Air Ambulance. Notable partners included Leonardo Helicopters, Serco, and Spaceport Cornwall.
Addressing the Gender Gap
With women constituting less than 6% of UK pilots and under 10% of aviation engineers, the Reach for the Sky initiative seeks to bridge this gap by igniting early interest and showcasing strong female role models.
Voices from the Event
One attendee shared, "It was a day of fun, laughter, and so many smiles... meeting wonderful people who spoke passionately about their roles was heartwarming." Another highlighted the importance of events tailored for girls, affirming their capability to excel in technical careers.
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