Demand for the event was exceptional, with all 204 places booked out in under an hour and over 400 additional students joining the waiting list. This overwhelming response highlights the appetite among young women for opportunities to explore science and engage with university life.

Jointly organised by the School’s Gender, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (GEDI) Committee and Outreach Committee, the day offered girls aged 12–16 the opportunity to explore the exciting world of maths and physics through a packed schedule of hands-on activities, student panels, and research demonstrations.

Throughout the day, participants heard directly from current female students and recent graduates who shared their experiences of studying maths and physics at Queen’s, and discussed the diverse career paths these degrees can lead to.

“Maths and physics teach you to think logically and solve problems efficiently - skills that are essential in data engineering. In Formula 1, there’s a huge demand for high-quality data. My job as a Data Engineer for team Alpine is to collect raw data and turn it into something engineers can actually use.”
— Grace Whittle, BSc Applied Maths and Physics (2024), Data Engineer Intern, Alpine F1 Team

Attendees also got stuck into the maths behind the popular card game Dobble, using patterns and logic to uncover how it works. On the physics side, they explored space-themed simulations, working together to spot gravitational wave events - giving them a hands-on feel for how real scientists detect signals from the far reaches of the universe.

A highlight of the day was a showcase in the Great Hall, where researchers from across the School presented their work through a range of interactive displays and demonstrations. From astrophysics to quantum technologies, the showcase was designed to spark curiosity and show the real-world impact of maths and physics in action.

Events like Girls in Maths and Physics are more than just a fun day out - they’re a vital opportunity to challenge stereotypes, build confidence, and show young women that they belong in STEM. Whether it's solving problems, exploring the universe, or designing future technologies, the message was clear: maths and physics are for everyone - and the future needs you.

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For enquiries please contact Daria Pudovkina at: d.pudovkina@qub.ac.uk