Dr Anne Nortcliffe comments on the recent introduction of the new Little Miss Inventor character. 

Little Miss Inventor is a welcome addition to Mr Men and Little Misses and provides a positive and fun role model for young people. She will be inventing, creating solutions to real world problems and inspiring a new generation of entrepreneurs and engineers.

Her introduction is also crucial to challenge the ‘traditional’ image of engineer and raise awareness amongst girls that they too can become inventors and engineers.

Only 9% of the engineering workforce is female and the UK has the lowest percentage of female engineering professionals in Europe.

If we are to tap into this underused resource and encourage more young girls and women into this exciting profession we need to start educating all children of their potential in the STEM subjects.

Little Miss Inventor’s engineering solutions approach aligns with our new Engineering, Design, Growth and Enterprise (EDGE) Hub, where female and male students will be learning, doing, creating and engineering sustainable solutions to everyday and world problems to the benefit of our local community and businesses

Dr Anne Nortcliffe is the University’s Director of Engineering Curriculum.

For more information on Canterbury Christ Church University’s new EDGE Hub visit here.

Image Sanrino and Egmont Publishing