Zenan (Amy) Chen, STEM Captain 2024

STEM fields have long been perceived as male dominated. Nowadays it is more important than ever to immerse young women in the world of STEM. Although there are now more women pursuing STEM careers than ever before, there remains much to be done to further minimise gender disparity. Therefore, as the STEM Captain in 2024, I was extremely privileged to lead our girls through a year filled with explorations, innovations, and passions. 

In the STEM Club, students engaged in a broad spectrum of activities. We embarked on captivating experiments, starting with simple yet intriguing experiments like making ice cream and bath bombs. These activities were not only fun but also provided a basic understanding of chemical reactions and the science behind everyday items. We also tackled more complex experiments, such as extracting iron from cereals. This involved a deeper understanding of chemical reactions and allowed the girls to use advanced equipment. Witnessing the girls’ expressions of surprise and delight upon obtaining results from these experiments was immensely gratifying. 

One of the highlights of my year was seeing girls who did not initially consider themselves interested in STEM fully engage with our activities. Many students who never imagined themselves participating in science experiments found joy and excitement in these experiments.  

I am grateful to have the opportunity to share my passion with the students of St Catherine’s and bond our common interests.