Staff and research students from the University of Warwick’s physics department are preparing to welcome almost 700 Brownies to campus this weekend (13 and 14 October).

The seven to ten-year-olds, from across Coventry, Warwickshire, and Solihull, will spend a day learning all about physical sciences and will receive a special badge at the end.

Ally Caldecote, outreach officer for the University of Warwick’s physics department, said: “This is a great opportunity for hundreds of girls to meet inspiring physicists from the University of Warwick, do some hands-on experiments and get a real taste of what physics is like.

“We are still not seeing women equally represented in the numbers choosing degrees in physics or even at A level. This is something we are working to change as it is an important factor in the development of the subject.

“We want to inspire the next generation of young women in science. We hope that spending a day with us at Warwick will fuel the Brownies’ curiosity and encourage a lifetime of wondering about the world around them.”

Whilst on campus, the Brownies will be taking part in all sorts of activities, including learning about coding, forces and astrophysics.

Physics PhD student, Tishtrya Mehta, who will be helping on the day, said: “I used to be a Brownie and I loved finding out about the world. It’s great to be welcoming 700 girls to Warwick to learn all about physics. Maybe we could end up inspiring the next Nobel Prize winner or the person who discovers life on other planets.”

Jayne Oliver, Brownie adviser for Girlguiding Warwickshire, said: “We are very excited about this event. To have so many Brownies able to experience such a thrilling range of activities is extraordinary. For them to receive a specially designed badge at the end makes it really special.”

The unique badge was designed by Gracie-May Kelly, a nine year old Brownie from 33rd Aldermans Green Brownies in Coventry. She, along with more than 650 other Brownies will be there to receive one from Warwick physicists at the weekend.

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8 October 2018

For media enquiries:

Andrea Cullis

Media relations manager

E:a dot cullis at warwick dot ac dot uk

DD: 02476 528050

M: 07825 314874