STEM
Girls’ STEM take-up
and results in schools
A Level core STEM entrants and results,
August 2018
• T he popularity of core STEM subjects is
soaring, despite the overall number of
A level entries across all subjects falling.
• T here has been a 4% increase in girls taking
STEM subjects: at least 5,000 more girls are
taking STEM, compared to an increase of
only 0.65% for boys.
• S imilar to 2017, girls are more positively
represented in chemistry, maths and design,
and technology — representing 53%, 39%
and 37% respectively.
• G irls who do choose STEM subjects achieve
equivalent, or better, A* and A results than
boys in all STEM subjects, except chemistry;
20% of girls taking A level computing
achieved A or A*, compared to 18% of boys.
GCSE STEM entries and results, August 2018
• S TEM entries represent 43% of the total
GCSE entries compared to 41% in 2017.
• G irls represent 48% of the total STEM entries
at GCSE, the same as in 2017.
• A total of 14% more girls are taking GSCE
computing than in 2017.
• T he number of girls taking construction
GCSE has increased by 56%; girls now
represent 7% of entries.
• E ntrance levels in biology, physics and
chemistry have soared this year; 90% of girls
have attained a 9-4 across each of them.
• G irls are continuing to outperform boys in
HANI BALUCH
PETROLEUM ENGINEER
What sparked your interest in engineering?
My interest in chemical engineering was sparked
by my experience of the modern-day Gulf War
and its implications for society. It instigated my
fascination with how oil is involved in many
different aspects of our lives and led me to
pursue a degree in chemical engineering (MEng)
at Imperial College of Science, Technology and
Medicine. I also spent a year abroad at Carnegie
Mellon University in Pittsburgh, US, as part of
my degree.
What do you like best about your job as a
petroleum engineer?
Having the freedom to succeed in my
role – making value-adding changes. It is very
satisfying for me to see the direct results of my
work manifest on well stability and production
figures. I also appreciate the opportunity to work
with multifunctional teams within which there
are varying degrees of experience.
Why is engineering a great career
for women?
I genuinely feel there are no barriers or restrictions
to women progressing in this industry. I think
there is a general stigma associated with women
in the oil and gas industry but can say I have never
felt at a disadvantage during my time at BP. Yes,
the oil and gas industry does have a higher
proportion of males to females, but if we do not
encourage young women to pursue careers in
science and engineering, this will never change!
If you have a keen interest, I would suggest
trying to get work experience and internships to
better understand the set-up of the industry and
get a flavour of the different disciplines.
There are no barriers or
restrictions to women
progressing in this industry
the majority of STEM subjects, with 67% of
girls achieving A*-C/9-4 grades, compared
to 63% of boys.
SOURCE:
WISE Campaign, August 2018,
wisecampaign.org.uk/statistics-
category/classroom/
FUTURE TALENTED // 41