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8 October 2020
Portsmouth High School, GDST, are delighted to announce that Lowena Hull, 18, from the Class of 2020, has been shortlisted for The Women of the Future awards in the Young Star category.
The Women of the Future Awards celebrates women who are ‘moving the needles’ in their sectors with their leadership and challenging stereotypes. The shortlist features playwrights, an environment activist and a creator of hyper-realistic artificial voices.
Lowena, now at Cambridge University studying Physical Natural Sciences with modules in maths, chemistry, physics, and materials science, said:
‘I am absolutely thrilled to be shortlisted for these prestigious awards, alongside some other amazing women role models. Combining my disciplines with experience in programming, I am hoping to work for an organisation such as the UK Space Agency. I believe that by partnering science with satellite data and technology, significant advances can be made in addressing the key issues facing humanity in the future, both globally and locally. I have completed several practical projects in the space-related field, including two ‘Astro Pi’ competitions, with ESA and the Raspberry Pi Foundation, and my winning entry for the UK Space Agency ‘SatelLife’ Competition. Alongside this, I will continue with my volunteering: mentoring girls in STEM through online workshops and presentations and promoting the importance of girls being able to experience technology from a young age.
‘Using media and by being an active role-model in the field, I hope to continue to inspire others. I am also looking forward to returning to volunteering in person at my local Raspberry Jam. I am always keen to attempt new things, often in areas with which I am unfamiliar, using the experiences both positive and negative to improve and learn. I am passionate about inspiring other girls to ‘have a go’, even if the outcome is not what you expect, it will always provide invaluable opportunities to discover and grow.’
Gareth Bethell, Senior Communications Officer, UK Space Agency said:
‘All of us at the UK Space Agency were blown away by Lowena when she was the overall winner of our SatelLife Competition in 2019, which asks young people to come up with ideas on how satellites can be used to improve life on Earth. Not only was her entry a fantastic idea and a worthy winner but she proved to be brilliant at communicating her idea with knowledge, enthusiasm and confidence. Since winning the competition Lowena has been a fantastic advocate, encouraging other young people to take part and we are confident she has an exciting career ahead of her in whatever she chooses to do.’
Headmistress of Portsmouth High School, Mrs Jane Prescott, added:
‘Lowena is passionate about promoting the profile of girls in STEM, not only on a local, but also a national scale. She is a volunteer with the Young Scientists Journal, teaches children at her local Raspberry Pi coding club and taught girls here at school. During the pandemic, she has given her time to help run online technology meetups for girls in STEAM across the south. Lowena inspired girls in the school and in the wider community by being an active and enthusiastic role model in STEM.’
The full shortlist can be viewed here https://awards.womenofthefuture.co.uk/our-alumni-category/2020/
All shortlisted candidates become part of the Women of the Future Network and will be invited to events. The judging takes place this week and winners announced in October.
