TecGirls touch the sky!

A special event took place at RNAS Culdrose at the weekend to inspire and empower young girls in Cornwall to explore careers in technology and engineering.

The Reach for the Sky Festival, hosted by the TecGirls project, was conceived in response to the harsh reality that girls in Cornwall have some of the lowest rates of participation in technology and engineering in the country.

In Cornwall, only 4% of girls take GCSEs in computer science and only 5% take GCSEs in design technology, significantly below the national average. This despite the fact that technology and engineering are some of the most needed skills in the county and globally.

Reach for the Sky aimed to shine a light on the potential of girls in Cornwall, encouraging them to pursue STEM careers. TecGirls, established in 2019 by TecWomen CIC, has been dedicated to reversing the neglect faced by young girls in the South West. Since becoming a full-time operation in 2021, TecGirls has consistently delivered innovative programming, culminating in this unique festival.

The sold out festival welcomed over 600 people to RNAS Culdrose on Saturday, all children were given a free ticket and a free lunch. Held in a giant hanger, the event was full of hands-on activities for children. It featured more than 20 different workshops, including rocket launches, a planet piano, 3D printers, Mars Rover robots, a VR zone, a paper airplane competition and building a giant cardboard space village.

Caitlin Gould, founder and CEO of TecGirls, said, “Reach for the Sky was a game changer! The energy, excitement and enthusiasm of these young girls was off the charts. It was incredibly inspiring to see them dive into technology and engineering with such passion. This festival proved that girls in Cornwall are ready to break barriers and reach new heights in STEM. We’re just getting started – the future is bright and we’re leading the charge!”