One of the south west’s biggest technology companies, Falmouth-based Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Group (WMFTG) – part of Spirax-Sarco Engineering plc celebrated International Women in Engineering Day (INWED) in partnership with Goonhilly Earth Station.

INWED is an annual global initiative to celebrate and raise the profile of female engineers within the industry, driven by the Women’s Engineering Society (http://www.inwed.org.uk/).

This year, to mark the day last Friday (June 21), WMFTG invited 62 local primary school children (ages 10 to 11) to Goonhilly Earth Station where they were involved in two interactive STEM (Science Technology Engineering Mathematics) activities and a site tour of Goonhilly.

One of the activities included students using WMFTG’s pumps to dose the right amount of "rocket fuel" that will be used to propel a 3D model space shuttle.

Rachel Pallett, sales director for Europe, Middle East and Africa at Watson-Marlow, said: “International Women in Engineering Day presents an important opportunity to rebalance diversity in the workplace; and this must start with inspiring younger generations.

"As women only make up around 12 per cent of the UK’s engineering and technology workforce, companies like ours must do all we can to promote engineering and STEM roles as exciting, inclusive, and rewarding careers. There are incredible opportunities out there for female engineering and technology professionals; the sky is the limit.”

Speakers at the event included Melissa Thorpe, head of business engagement and outreach for Spaceport Cornwall.

Melissa has been involved in this ambitious project to deliver safe and low-cost access to space by 2020 since its inception in 2014. A key aspect of the Spaceport Cornwall project is to inspire a generation of young people to take up STEM subjects.

Lucy Edge, chief operating officer of the Satellite Applications Catapult, also delivered a speech.

She is responsible for supporting enterprises across the UK in understanding and exploiting the potential of space and satellites to create opportunities and transform businesses.

Giving young attendees a flavour of life in manufacturing was WMFTG’s Dr Sade Mokuolu, group product compliance manager at the company.

Jane Kingston, who for many years served as Group Human Resources Director for Compass Group PLC; and Trudy Schoolenberg, who served in high-profile senior management roles, also addressed the audience.