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Celebrating the achievements of women
8th March 2024
Thank you to everyone at Learning Partners who has welcomed us so warmly – we are delighted to be part of this network of schools and are looking forward to working with you all. International Women's Day is a time to celebrate the achievements of women across the globe. As women in STEM and Co-Heads of a Maths School, we’d like to highlight the wonderful people after whom we have named our School Houses, three of whom are remarkable women who have made significant contributions in their respective STEM fields. Margaret Hamilton, a computer scientist, is a true pioneer in the field of software engineering. Hamilton led the team at MIT that developed the onboard flight software for NASA's Apollo missions and her work was instrumental in ensuring the successful landing of the Apollo 11 lunar module on the moon in 1969. Hamilton's achievements earned her the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016, highlighting her role as a trailblazer in STEM and an inspiration to future generations of women in technology. Jocelyn Bell Burnell is an astrophysicist whose discovery of pulsars – a highly magnetised type of rotating start - revolutionised our understanding of the universe. This was one of the most significant astronomical discoveries of the 20th century, which Burnell achieved despite facing scepticism and challenges as a woman in a male-dominated field - indeed, the Nobel Prize for this work was awarded to her PhD supervisor without any recognition to Burnell. Her legacy serves as a testament to the importance of diversity and inclusion in scientific inquiry, inspiring generations of scientists to explore the mysteries of the cosmos. Emmy Murphy, a distinguished mathematician at the University of Toronto, is known for her research in the field of algebraic geometry and representation theory. Murphy has hugely advanced our understanding of geometric structures and their applications in diverse areas of mathematics and theoretical physics. Murphy is also deeply committed to fostering diversity and inclusion in the mathematical community, serving as a mentor and advocate for underrepresented groups in STEM. Her leadership and contributions continue to inspire and empower mathematicians worldwide. Caucher Birkar is a mathematician whose contributions to algebraic geometry earned him the Fields Medal in 2018. Born in a Kurdish village in Iran, Birkar's journey to mathematical excellence is nothing short of remarkable. Despite facing numerous obstacles, including fleeing his home country as a refugee and enduring personal hardships, Birkar's passion for mathematics remained undeterred. His pioneering work in the Minimal Model Program has significantly advanced our understanding of geometric structures and their applications in mathematics and theoretical physics. Birkar serves as an inspiration to countless individuals around the world, demonstrating the power of resilience, determination, and intellect in overcoming adversity. It is no secret that women have historically been underrepresented in STEM, despite their invaluable contributions to scientific progress and technological innovation. Gender diversity in STEM is not just a matter of equality; it is essential for fostering creativity, driving innovation, and solving complex challenges that affect us all. As educators, we play a crucial role in encouraging girls to pursue their interests in STEM. By providing access to resources, mentorship opportunities, and exposure to diverse role models, we can empower the next generation of female mathematical scientists. We are committed to promoting gender diversity and equality at Surrey Maths School and we welcome the opportunity to work with other LPAT schools to achieve this goal.
Thank you to everyone at Learning Partners who has welcomed us so warmly – we are delighted to be part of this network of schools and are looking forward to working with you all. International Women's Day is a time to celebrate the achievements of women across the globe. As women in STEM and Co-Heads of a Maths School, we’d like to highlight the wonderful people after whom we have named our School Houses, three of whom are remarkable women who have made significant contributions in their respective STEM fields. Margaret Hamilton, a computer scientist, is a true pioneer in the field of software engineering. Hamilton led the team at MIT that developed the onboard flight software for NASA's Apollo missions and her work was instrumental in ensuring the successful landing of the Apollo 11 lunar module on the moon in 1969. Hamilton's achievements earned her the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016, highlighting her role as a trailblazer in STEM and an inspiration to future generations of women in technology. Jocelyn Bell Burnell is an astrophysicist whose discovery of pulsars – a highly magnetised type of rotating start - revolutionised our understanding of the universe. This was one of the most significant astronomical discoveries of the 20th century, which Burnell achieved despite facing scepticism and challenges as a woman in a male-dominated field - indeed, the Nobel Prize for this work was awarded to her PhD supervisor without any recognition to Burnell. Her legacy serves as a testament to the importance of diversity and inclusion in scientific inquiry, inspiring generations of scientists to explore the mysteries of the cosmos. Emmy Murphy, a distinguished mathematician at the University of Toronto, is known for her research in the field of algebraic geometry and representation theory. Murphy has hugely advanced our understanding of geometric structures and their applications in diverse areas of mathematics and theoretical physics. Murphy is also deeply committed to fostering diversity and inclusion in the mathematical community, serving as a mentor and advocate for underrepresented groups in STEM. Her leadership and contributions continue to inspire and empower mathematicians worldwide. Caucher Birkar is a mathematician whose contributions to algebraic geometry earned him the Fields Medal in 2018. Born in a Kurdish village in Iran, Birkar's journey to mathematical excellence is nothing short of remarkable. Despite facing numerous obstacles, including fleeing his home country as a refugee and enduring personal hardships, Birkar's passion for mathematics remained undeterred. His pioneering work in the Minimal Model Program has significantly advanced our understanding of geometric structures and their applications in mathematics and theoretical physics. Birkar serves as an inspiration to countless individuals around the world, demonstrating the power of resilience, determination, and intellect in overcoming adversity. It is no secret that women have historically been underrepresented in STEM, despite their invaluable contributions to scientific progress and technological innovation. Gender diversity in STEM is not just a matter of equality; it is essential for fostering creativity, driving innovation, and solving complex challenges that affect us all. As educators, we play a crucial role in encouraging girls to pursue their interests in STEM. By providing access to resources, mentorship opportunities, and exposure to diverse role models, we can empower the next generation of female mathematical scientists. We are committed to promoting gender diversity and equality at Surrey Maths School and we welcome the opportunity to work with other LPAT schools to achieve this goal.
