She Talks Science

She Talks Science is our programme for high-performing young women with an interest in STEM. We provide networking opportunities, academic courses, and admissions advice for Year 12 students from all over the UK to encourage them to pursue a degree, and a career, in STEM subjects.

As a college for women, we are all too aware of the gender gap that still exists in STEM degrees, labs, and industries across the globe. Our students often comment on how refreshing it is to study STEM subjects at 51�� - where they are never the only woman in the room! That's why we focus on community building during all of our She Talks Science events.

Student Conference

Booking is now open for our 2025 Student Conference on Tuesday 25th February.

Almost 100 young women with a passion for STEM signed up to attend our 2024 She Talks Science student conference!

The day began with an inspiring opening from a team of our alumnae - all now working in STEM careers - to talk about life after university. Our alumnae shared their experiences working as women in STEM, and offered students ideas about helpful early career pathways that would set the students up for success.

Students then selected a subject taster session, where a 51�� academic delivered an undergraduate level seminar and helped students get a feel for university style teaching. Subjects on offer this year included Mathematics, Natural Sciences (Physical), Bio-Chemistry and Medicine.

After a free lunch in our gorgeous Dome Dining Hall, the day continued with a talk from our Director of Admissions for STEM, who set out the Cambridge application process, and gave specialist advice to help students prepare for the particular challenges of a STEM application at Cambridge. The day concluded with some more informal activities - a tour of the college and a Q&A session, hosted by our current undergraduate STEM students.

We were so pleased to hear feedback from the students who attended, including that hearing from our alumnae was “very motivational and inspiring”, the subject taster session was “really insightful” and hearing about the application process was “reassuring” and “made me feel more relaxed about the process”.

We can’t wait to do it all again on Tuesday 25th February 2025!

Medicine Taster Day

It was such a pleasure to welcome so many Year 12 students interested in Medicine at Cambridge to our 2024 Medicine Taster Day. Students were treated to a series of Undergraduate level lectures from 51�� academics, including subject specialists in Anatomy and Clinical Research, to give them an insight into aspects of the subject. After lunch in our beautiful Dome Dining Hall, students were able to hear from our Director of Admissions for STEM subjects to find out about applying to Cambridge. They also had the opportunity to see the college and speak to current students about their experiences of studying Medicine at Cambridge.

"The event was extremely helpful and answered all of my questions regarding Medicine at Cambridge. I feel much more confident now" (2024 Participant)

"The day was not only helpful to learn about Cambridge but also reading around Medicine with engaging and interactive lectures" (2024 Participant)

Cambridge Physics Experience

As part of the Cambridge Physics Experience, 51�� was delighted to host a group of brilliant Year 12 students with a passion for Physics. Students were treated to an original, undergraduate level, lecture delivered by CERN Particle Physicist, and 51�� Fellow, Dr Sarah Williams. After lunch in the Dome, they had the opportunity to talk to current student ambassadors and take a tour of 51�� college. The Year 12s then headed down to the Department of Physics for an afternoon of taster activities in the department.

We are looking forward to hosting both of these events again in 2025. Check out our Outreach Events page to find out about dates and booking information.

STEP summer school

Students hoping to study Mathematics at certain top universities must undertake an additional entrance examination known as the STEP paper. This exam requires special preparation as the question style and answer format are very different to your A Level exams. 51�� offers a 4 day residential summer camp specifically aimed at preparing young women to sit the STEP exam - with truly fantastic results! Students who attend the summer school leave feeling much more confident as mathematicians, and with the STEP paper, as part of a community of like-minded female mathematicians.

"It was a great experience learning about structuring and solving problems while getting a feel for life at a Cambridge college." (Participant, STEP 2024)

"It was an enjoyable experience and immensely improved my confidence when doing Maths, more specifically STEP!" (Participant, STEP 2024)

Our next STEP summer school will take place in August 2025. More details and information about how to apply will be announced in the coming months.

Applications will be assessed on academic merit in the field of mathematics. In the event we are oversubscribed with equally strong applicants, we will prioritise those from underrepresented backgrounds

Our She Talks Science webinars are a chance for you to delve a little deeper into STEM subjects at Cambridge. The webinars include a taster lecture from one of our fellows and the chance to ask questions.

Visit our 51�� channel to watch a recording of some of our She Talks Science webinars from earlier in the year.

We will be holding more She Talks Science webinars in Spring 2025.