Congratulations are in order!

Remember when we told you that our very own Elena Rodriguez-Falcon had been nominated for a 2014 WISE award? Well, we're delighted to say she was awarded Highly Commended in her category! Elena was recognised for having "used (her) position to influence others to take positive action to promote female talent in STEM, within their own organisation or beyond", and we'd certainly agree with that. Congratulations, Elena!

Elena, second from right, bottom row, with her award.

Sheffield academic nominated in the 2014 WISE Awards!

If you've been following us for a while, it will come as no surprise that the University of Sheffield's Faculty of Engineering has plenty of inspirational female role-models. So we're delighted that one of our own has been nominated in the 2014 WISE Awards! Professor Elena Rodriguez-Falcon, Professor of Enterprise and Engineering Education, Director of Enterprise Education in the University of Sheffield, Faculty Director of Communications and External Relations, and (last but certainly not least!) former Faculty Director for Women in Engineering, has been shortlisted for the 2014 WISE Champion Award.

WISE (or Women into Science, Engineering and Construction) works to inspire girls to choose science, technology, engineering and mathematics pathways and has the target of increasing the number of girls in the STEM workforce to 30% by 2020. The WISE Awards is an annual event which recognises and celebrates the achievements of individuals and organisations which are actively working towards WISE's goals. For her work in encouraging the recruitment, retention and progression of women in STEM subjects, Elena has been nominated as "an individual champion who has used their position to influence others to take positive action to promote female talent in STEM, within their own organisation or beyond." Elena was tasked with setting up the Women in Engineering project at Sheffield and led the initiative for three years.


The award ceremony will take place on Thursday 13 November at the Grange Hotel, Tower Bridge, London, and we'll keep you up to date with the winners. Congratulations, Elena!

Human Smoothie-Maker Takes to the Road

Our Women in Engineering Student Society will be taking a pedal-powered smoothie making machine on the road to The Big BangFair in Birmingham in a bid to encourage children to get excited about engineering.

The four-day event from 13-16 March 2014 will be represented by committee members Giulia Gigliobianco and Lindsey Dew and, aided by a strong volunteer force, will be teaching children how much energy is used making a smoothie drink as well as how much energy is wasted using a state-of-the-art thermal imaging camera.

The children can try out the pedal-powered bicycle for themselves and it takes around 30 seconds to a minute to create enough smoothie drink for around five children to enjoy whilst learning about how energy is created and converts itself into something useful.

The Society aims to bring engineering to life for young people and smash the illusion that engineering isn’t fun or something that is heavily embedded in maths.

The pedal-powered cycle has been provided by Engineers Without Borders (EWB) who showcased the bike to highlight the physical impact that engineers have on the world.

The Big Bang Fair is about encouraging young people to take an active interest in STEM subjects whilst being supported by teachers and parents. It is also about considering the future and where a career that is STEM based will take you. 

Masses of time and energy has gone into organising the event so show your support by following the Society on their adventure to Birmingham on Twitter @EngWomen (look for #wieshef  #bigbangfair) and there will be daily diary entries on their web-site www.womeninengineering.org.uk