Engineering the Future: HAB Celebrates Women in STEM

HAB marked International Women in Engineering Day with an inspiring and energetic visit to Imperial College London, where students spent the day exploring the world of engineering alongside the SheCanEngineer team.

The morning began with an engaging introduction to chemical engineering, highlighting how engineers develop solutions to global challenges. Students were then inspired by a presentation from a group of Year 10 pupils who have developed award-winning AI technology capable of identifying leukaemia cells in blood samples. Their work demonstrated how young people—especially young women—are already making a powerful impact in scientific innovation.

Next, students took on a hands-on design challenge to create a model space station. Working from a detailed brief, they considered how to power the station, ensure astronaut safety, manage food and water supplies, and design sustainable waste systems. They also had to think carefully about budgeting and present their ideas, combining creativity with practical engineering thinking.

“Being Project Manager was a great experience. I enjoyed leading my team, learning about coding and design, and seeing how much teamwork and planning goes into an engineering project. The day inspired me to explore STEM further.” – Kavya, Year 7, pictured below right.

After lunch, the focus shifted to digital engineering. Students used micro:bits to explore coding concepts including inputs, variables, and outputs before applying their skills to a space-themed challenge. Their teamwork and problem-solving skills paid off, with HAB teams achieving first and second place on the leaderboard.

The day offered a powerful insight into engineering beyond the classroom—collaborative, creative, and full of possibility. With the enthusiasm and talent shown throughout the visit, it is clear that HAB students are the next generation of engineers ready to shape the future.