Berkeley Green UTC 
Forest High School 
Pegasus School 1st July 2026
Hello, my name is Jesse and I am a Year 12 student at Berkeley Green, where I study Engineering, Maths and Physics. Alongside a group of female students, I have been involved in developing SIS-STEM, a student-led initiative dedicated to encouraging and supporting women and girls in STEM.
Advocating for women in STEM has been a lifelong passion of mine and something I have always felt strongly about. Throughout my education, I have been aware of the barriers, stereotypes and underrepresentation that women continue to face within engineering and other STEM industries. Being given the opportunity to help develop SIS-STEM has allowed me to turn a personal belief into meaningful action.
The first major project we have undertaken as SIS-STEM has been planning and delivering a Women in Engineering assembly. The main aim of this assembly was to celebrate the achievements of women within STEM, challenge stereotypes withing engineering, and encourage students to consider careers they may not have previously explored. Researching the history of women in engineering, learning about the challenges they have overcome, and highlighting their contributions has been both inspiring and educational.
Working on this project has ensured that I further develop my skills in research, organisation, communication and public speaking. It has also reinforced my own ambition to pursue a career in engineering while continuing to advocate for greater equality and representation within the industry.
My involvement with SIS-STEM has been a very rewarding experience of my education, and next year I hope to continue this work through workshops and exploring how initiatives like SIS-STEM can inspire and support future generations of women in STEM.
