The demand for the equal participation and leadership of women and girls in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) disciplines is now considered, more important than ever. As reported by McKinsey & Co, “addressing existing underrepresentation could not only bolster technological growth and innovation, it’s also become an economic necessity.” With this in mind, we reached out to one former pupil leading her own path in the world of STEM. Here, Mandy Chan (Class of 2020), shares her story so far.
I started my journey at The Academy back in 2013 in Prep 7 and left in 2020 at the start of the pandemic, when everything was so uncertain.
Looking back, those seven eventful years passed by in a blur and seem a lifetime away. I have a lack of photos of myself from that time, but I’m sure if you dig deep enough, you’ll find a photo of me at some Maths or CCF (Combined Cadet Force) competition buried in the archives, or maybe two website iterations ago.
Currently, I’m at the University of Bristol studying Aerospace Engineering but I’m on a year-long industrial placement at the National Composites Centre doing Materials Research and Development (bit of a mouthful, I know). As part of my placement, I’ve recently been involved in STEM week at some primary schools and this has really made me think back to how I was at this age. Certainly in primary school and my earlier years at the Academy, I was quiet. If you were to meet me now, I don’t think you would quite believe just how quiet I was.
In those first few years at The Academy, I wasn’t set on engineering by any means, but it was certainly on my radar. Admittedly, I have always been fairly STEM oriented but I did enjoy other subjects like music and English. The latter so much so that I considered taking it for Advanced Higher. Probably for the best that my tutor, Miss Loughran, talked me out of that one, thanks for that!
Over my academic career, I competed in countless team and individual competitions including English, Chemistry, Physics and Maths. As much as I enjoyed the in-class work, these competitions undoubtedly had an impact on my choices. They gave me the opportunity to apply my knowledge somewhere other than end-of-year exams and motivated me to expand my knowledge further, beyond the curriculum.
I also applied for and got accepted to a few summer programmes including Engineering the Future for Girls and Scottish Space School, both hosted at the University of Strathclyde. The weeks spent here were incredibly beneficial, not only in the activities we undertook, but in getting to meet an astronaut and some new-found friends who I’m still in touch with six years later. I have also accumulated a fair few cool mugs and merch from these programmes so I really can’t complain.
You often hear about kids loving LEGO from a young age and being destined for engineering but honestly, I don’t think that was ever me. Perhaps I lacked the creativity needed, or designing sets for LEGO wasn’t my calling. When confronted with a loose pile of bricks, I never knew what to do. My designs wouldn’t come to life in the right way, things would be lopsided, and nothing would look like it did in my head. With Design & Manufacture (D&M), it was my design, I was in control. The creativity and freedom of the curriculum allowed me to thrive and see what I was capable of. One thing I do remember is being in S2, trying to choose what I would study for National 5. The school’s policy of Maths, English, a language, a science and a social science (+3 of your choosing from a long list) was causing me some issues. I remember sitting down with Mr MacRae and convincing him to let me take Latin as my language choice, three sciences and D&M instead of a social (the last subject being computer science, naturally), stating that “I want to go into engineering, D&M will benefit me more than a social science would.” Was I certain about engineering by this point? Who knows. It was more likely that I knew what I didn’t want to do, and this path had the added benefit of getting to play with power tools (responsibly of course and whilst wearing the appropriate protective gear).
I still can’t pinpoint the exact day I woke up and thought “I’m going to be an engineer”, I’m not sure if there even was one, but the summer schools I attended and competitions I won, certainly had an impact. By S6, I took the classic combination of Maths, Mechanics and Physics, so it’s safe to say I was pretty certain by then.
So, why aerospace?
Because planes are cool! Well actually, I went into this because I thought space was cool, but that’s besides the point. I saw it as a career that could have a positive impact on the world in so many different ways. From sustainability, to technological developments, to space travel and beyond. Engineering seemed like the right choice for me; I loved Physics and Maths (apart from that brief stint where I just could not understand how the chain rule applied to sin(x)^2) and I love building things. Over the last few years, however, I have found my love of planes. It’s even taken me to France where I was able to see two of the remaining Concordes and a whole array of cool planes and spacecraft. As engineering students, you don’t just learn facts. You’ll soon find that you learn how to think, you learn how to apply knowledge. The abstract thinking skills are invaluable. A lot of STEM is like that. I can’t comment on other subjects, but the focus on transferable skills is undeniable. I chose the University of Bristol because of the course and the industry based around the city. As much as I miss the taste of Scottish water and the availability of Irn Bru, it’s absolutely been the right choice for me. Moving away has been such an important part of the experience and I’ve gained so much from it. You don’t have to move so far away, Scotland has some brilliant universities, but this step was important to me so I could figure out how to be an adult and enjoy the next stage of my life away from the city I spent 18 years growing up in.
Undoubtedly, I would have been fine wherever I ended up, but I can think of so many moments and opportunities that never would have happened if I hadn’t come to Bristol. I wouldn’t have met my university friends, sat right behind the Scotland players when they beat England at Twickenham this year, organised a trip to Toulouse or a society ball for 200+ guests. Those last two came around because I’ve spent the past year as one of the Events Secretaries for the University of Bristol’s Aerospace Society. It’s been a great experience and I’m excited for the coming year as I’ve just been elected president for 2023/24.
What’s next for me?
Well, I’m finishing up placement in July and I’ve got two years left at University to get my MEng (Integrated Master of Engineering). After that, who knows? Coming into all this, I thought I had a clear plan, but then, I had to learn to be adaptable. I’m currently at a bit of a crossroads where I could continue with materials research, or I could switch things up and do aerodynamics for a bit. A few years down the line, I’m thinking either a PhD or a grad opportunity. Beyond that? I’ll decide when it comes around. I should also add, I’m doing all of this so I can go to space one day, or at least do something that gets someone else to space. That’s the dream.
For those looking to go into STEM, make use of the opportunities you have. The Academy was incredibly supportive of me and all I had to do was ask. At the same time, I’ve found that being proactive in different ways has landed me so many opportunities.
The journey has been difficult at times, but also incredibly rewarding. People will doubt you, but there will always be people who support you 100% and want you to succeed with their whole heart.
For me, those people were my teachers and I owe a massive thanks to them all. To Ms Russell (Maths and Mechanics) and Mr Merton (Physics) who helped me with some mind-melting questions when it came time for university applications, and to the rest of the Physics department, Miss Loughran, Mrs McMillan and Mr Wallace, who also all had to put up with me asking a thousand questions at one point or another.
Mandy Chan (Class of 2020)