Darlington schoolgirl secures prestigious engineering scholarship

A teenage girl is forging ahead with her dream to become an engineer after securing a prestigious scholarship.

Carmel College student Katie Sisk has been awarded the Arkwright Engineering Scholarship at a glittering ceremony in London.

Former Carmel College student Melissa Bates also received a scholarship from almost 1,400 applicants.

Supported by the Institution of Engineering & Technology and the engineering company BAE Systems, Katie and Melissa were presented with their scholarships by Jonathan Firth, director of operations and projects, at Virgin Galactic and met the organisations that are sponsoring them, Cummins Engines and RAF Cranwell.

The Arkwright Engineering Scholarships support young people from across the UK who have the potential to be industry’s future leaders in engineering and technical design. During their sixth-form studies, scholars receive £600 to support their technical courses and have access to a range of exciting opportunities to learn more about engineering, such as mentoring and company visits.

The Darlington girls successfully filled in a challenging application form, sat a two hour exam in which they had to design a new type of bin, and pass an interview at Sheffield University.

Melissa left Carmel to attend RAF Welbeck College whereas Katie moved to the college from Yarm School to study A Levels in physics, chemistry, maths and product design.

She said: “The ceremony was amazing and it was fascinating listening to the Virgin Galactica project to put passengers in space.

“I have just completed my first work experience at Cummins. It is such a vast company and I can have experience in any department I like which is fantastic and will really help me with my project work.”

The scholarship also allows her to buy materials and visit universities and she hopes to climb to the top of a profession dominated by men.

“It is going to be tough but I would love to study at one of the Russell Group of universities,” said Katie, who also competes in national springboard diving competitions.

“I am really enjoying studying at Carmel and the people at Cummins are lovely and so supportive.”

Carmel College curriculum leader Mark Holt said: “Women are in the minority in engineering because the perception is that it is heavy, dirty work, which isn’t the case as a lot is now IT-based.

“Katie and Melissa did exceptionally well to secure the scholarships and I am sure they will both make the most of the opportunities this provides.”

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