![Soroptimist Challenge Win 2023]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1682080072/canfordcom/jq1gstigxh1bdq6usw7i/SoroptimistChallenge-1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1682080072/canfordcom/jq1gstigxh1bdq6usw7i/SoroptimistChallenge-1.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1682080072/canfordcom/jq1gstigxh1bdq6usw7i/SoroptimistChallenge-1.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1682080072/canfordcom/jq1gstigxh1bdq6usw7i/SoroptimistChallenge-1.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1682080072/canfordcom/jq1gstigxh1bdq6usw7i/SoroptimistChallenge-1.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1682080072/canfordcom/jq1gstigxh1bdq6usw7i/SoroptimistChallenge-1.jpg","width":2200}])
One of the main aims of Soroptimist International is to “advance women’s potential”. Through a global network of members and international partnerships, Soroptimists inspire action and create opportunities to transform the lives of women and girls. The STEAM Challenge competition, now in its 10th year, looks to show girls their potential in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematical subjects. The task each team must solve is to find a solution to a problem experienced by people living in some of the poorest parts of the world.
This year’s competition was launched in October 2022, with the final taking place at Bournemouth University on 23rd March. Entrants had to demonstrate a prototype of their idea and answer questions from a panel of judges during the evening. The judges came from various industries around the BCP council area, as well as Bournemouth University itself.
Three Shell girl teams entered and two progressed through to the final. It was fantastic to see the two Canford teams take both winner and third place team prizes for the Year 9 category. Many congratulations to Shells Willa, Cata, Phoebe and Lily for their winning idea of “A home away from home” – a flatpack, adaptable accommodation for refugees in Syria and Palestine and to third place team Annie and Brooke for their idea of “The Seal” – a floating earthquake detector.
Many thanks to Physics teacher Mrs Emma Thornburrow and Physics technician Martyn Mahy for supporting the pupils in their entries and to all involved in making this such an excellent academic competition promoting STEM among young women.
Emma, said
This is the fourth year Canford have entered the competition, achieving a finals place each time. The opportunities that the competition opens up to the girls is fantastic and virtually all of those in the earlier cohorts have chosen science-based subjects to study at A level and beyond. It allows the pupils to develop many useful skills: problem solving, co-operation and teambuilding, effective communication, practical and IT skills, as well as project management over, the six month project. We hope our new Shells will enjoy and may be as successful next year.
