AN EVENT to bridge the gap for more young women and girls to take up a career in engineering has taken place in Sandhurst.

The special STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) careers showcase took place at the Royal Military Academy on Thursday, May 24, by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) to literally 'bridge' the gender gap to encourage more girls to consider joining the civil engineering profession.

Hundreds of girls aged 11 to 15, from both public and private schools, attended the event which demonstrated the variety of STEM educational and career pathways available.

Through a practical ‘balancing bridges’ activity, attendees were able to get hands-on with civil engineering, using the same skills that bridge builders use albeit on a smaller scale.

Participants also learnt first-hand how civil engineers have to work in teams and plan ahead in order to build successfully.

Jonathan Baggs, ICE London & South East Regional Director, said: “From delivering clean water supplies to helping people travel to work via road and rail, civil engineers directly transform people’s lives. As part of ICE’s bicentenary celebrations this year, we are hosting and taking part in events that promote civil engineering as a rewarding and creative career, open to all people regardless of gender or background. ICE ambassadors were delighted to meet the students at the Sandhurst showcase and hope we’ve encouraged them to become the engineers of tomorrow.”