Taste of life in the RAF for 24 lucky teenage girls 14.07.11
18A group of 24 teenage girls from across the country have been given a taste of life in the RAF as part of the drive to encourage them to consider a career in it. The event at RAF Cosford was part of Women in Science and Engineering Week which saw 14 - 15 year old girls picked through a special selection process from cores of Year 10 applicants with a passion for engineering. During the week the girls discovered how fast jets and helicopters work and experienced hands-on engineering by removing the flaps from jet provost aircraft and also by designing and building gliders with 3 metre wingspans. The RAF is engaging with girls as young as 13 to encourage them to continue with maths and science at school, and to enthuse them about non-traditional careers. Squadron Leader Glyn Dean, SO2 Concepts at the Royal Air Force College, Cranwell said: "The applications were of a very high standard - it is really encouraging to see the interest and appetite for engineering and technical careers in young women. "The prime objective of the week was to give the girls a real hands-on experience of what engineering careers can deliver in the RAF. The girls also experienced life in the RAF by staying on the base for the entire week, which was a challenge as for some this was their first time away from home. '' Rebecca Walsh, from Queensbridge School said: "It was a fantastic week. Not many girls get the chance to have a real hands-on experience of working in the RAF, so I feel really privileged. It's great that the RAF as so behind girls getting into a career in engineering."