Physicist Dr Jess Wade awarded OBE for services to gender diversity in science

Congratulations to award winning physicist and #STEM ambassador Dr. Jess Wade has been awarded a medal of the Order of the British Empire for services to gender diversity in science.

Dr. Jess Wade is a physicist and an incredible advocate for women in science and engineering. During 2018, she’s embarked upon a challenge: to write one Wikipedia page per day about an “awesome underrepresented group working in science and engineering.”

Dr Wade researches polymer-based LEDs in the Blackett Lab at Imperial College London. As part of her outreach work she has led public engagement initiatives to promote women in STEM, including schools outreach work in physics and coordinating international women in physics academic conferences. She’s leading the way as an inspirational woman in science helping to break down barriers, and give girls the confidence to see themselves as scientists.

Read an interview with Jess about her Wikipedia page per day here.

Jess is also a proud STEMette and STEM ambassador, helping to promote fellow STEMettes such as author Angela Saini who wrote Inferior and Superior.

Follow Jess on Twitter to and join the world of science girl power!

Dr Jess Wade is a Whizz Pop Bang science adviser; a member of our behind-the-scenes team who help to ensure that our content is up-to-date and accurate.

In every issue of Whizz Pop Bang magazine we have a mix of female and male scientists to inspire girls and boys, and particularly showcase women in STEM roles. Breaking down gender stereotypes is an important part of Whizz Pop Bang magazine as we strive for a future of equality. Find out more here.

We also feature famous historical scientists, focusing just as much on the female scientists as the male scientists. Find out which historical scientists we’ve featured so far in Whizz Pop Bang, and if you’re a teacher looking for science and reading resources we’ve got reading comprehensions ready to download and go with our schools subscriptions!

#WomenInSTEM

#WomenInScience

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Cool science gifts for kids!

Are your kids obsessed with space and the wonder of black holes? This intriguing 50p coin was recently released by the Royal Mint to commemorate the life and achievements of physicist and cosmologist, Professor Stephen Hawking. It’s the perfect gift for science lovers (of
any age!).

A little piece of genius 

Who’d have thought it was possible to fit a black hole onto a 50p piece?! Professor Hawking is renowned for his incredible discoveries about space, including the Bekenstein-Hawking theory, which relates to black hole entropy. This complex formula features alongside a brilliant graphic of a black hole on one side of the coin.    

Image: Zero Gravity Corp

A clever celebration 

Hawking’s daughter, Lucy, says, “It is a great privilege to be featured on a coin and I hope my father would be pleased to be alongside Sir Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin as scientists who have made it on to money.” It’s a fitting way to honor a lifetime of incredible contributions to science. 

Build a collection 

Unfortunately, this little beauty isn’t going to turn up in your supermarket change as it’s not being put into general circulation, but if you know a Hawking-in-the-making who would love to add this to their science kit, head to the Royal Mint’s online shop 

It’s available in to buy in a commemorative pack – what a perfect present for a science or space fan!  

And there’s more… 

Image credit royalmint.com

The Royal Mint have announced that this is the first in a series of four 50p coins celebrating innovators in science, but are keeping the specific subjects of the next three under wraps. A complete set would make amazing science gifts for girls and boys. Which famous scientists would you like to see on future 50p coins? Let us know in the comments! 

Images and quotes from www.royalmint.com 


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