The Charlotte Hosker Scholarship Trust
Supporting Girls in STEM
Supporting Girls in STEM
Extracurricular opportunities that inspire and prepare students for technical careers
Hands-on programs that bring STEM to life
The Charlotte Hosker Scholarship Trust doesn't just provide financial support - we also fund and facilitate extracurricular STEM programs at Purbeck School and beyond. These programs give students practical experience, exposure to real-world applications, and the inspiration to pursue technical careers.
Diverse opportunities across all STEM disciplines
We fund state-of-the-art laboratory equipment and materials that enable hands-on science education at Purbeck School. Students participate in advanced experiments in chemistry, biology, and physics that go beyond the standard curriculum.
Activities include: Advanced chemistry synthesis, biological research projects, physics demonstrations and experiments, environmental science fieldwork, forensic science workshops.
Impact: Students develop practical laboratory skills and scientific thinking that prepare them for university-level STEM courses.
Our technology programs introduce students to programming, software development, artificial intelligence, and computer science fundamentals through after-school clubs and intensive workshops.
Students learn: Python, JavaScript, and other programming languages, web development and app creation, AI and machine learning basics, cybersecurity fundamentals, game development.
Resources provided: Computer equipment, software licenses, online learning platforms, industry mentors, competition entry fees.
Students design, build, and program robots and mechanical systems, learning engineering principles and problem-solving skills while working on exciting, real-world challenges.
Program highlights: LEGO Mindstorms and VEX robotics competitions, 3D printing and prototyping, mechanical design projects, electronics and circuit building, participation in national robotics championships.
Skills developed: Engineering design, teamwork, project management, creative problem-solving.
We support students who excel in mathematics through enrichment programs, competitions, and advanced coursework that challenge and inspire mathematical thinking.
Opportunities include: UK Mathematics Trust competitions (Junior, Intermediate, Senior), mathematical olympiads and challenges, statistics and data science workshops, further mathematics support, university-level mathematics topics.
Support provided: Specialist tutoring, competition entry and travel, advanced textbooks and resources, online mathematics platforms.
We connect students with female STEM professionals who provide guidance, inspiration, and real-world insights into technical careers. Mentors share their experiences, offer advice, and help students navigate their educational journeys.
Mentors include: Engineers, scientists, researchers, software developers, mathematicians, technology entrepreneurs, university STEM professors.
Activities: One-on-one mentoring sessions, career talks and panels, workplace visits, project guidance, university application support.
We fund student participation in regional, national, and international STEM competitions that challenge students to apply their knowledge, develop new skills, and gain recognition for their talents.
Competitions supported: Science fairs and exhibitions, mathematics challenges, coding hackathons, engineering design competitions, Young Scientist awards, robotics tournaments.
What we cover: Entry fees, travel expenses, materials costs, preparation resources, coaching and training.
Investing in world-class STEM education at Purbeck School
One of our core objectives is to help The Purbeck School maintain and develop its status as a centre of excellence for STEM subjects. We achieve this through strategic investments in equipment, facilities, and programs that benefit all students.
Recent investments include:
"The support from The Charlotte Hosker Scholarship Trust has been transformational for our STEM departments. Our students now have access to facilities and opportunities that rival those at much larger schools."
— Head of Science, Purbeck School
Regular events that inspire and educate
We organize regular talks from professionals working in STEM fields, giving students insight into various career paths and the realities of working in technical professions. Speakers have included aerospace engineers, medical researchers, data scientists, and software architects.
Students visit universities, research facilities, technology companies, and engineering plants to see STEM in action. Recent visits have included Oxford University science departments, the Bloodhound Land Speed Record project, and local tech companies.
Special events celebrating female achievement in technical fields, featuring talks from successful women scientists and engineers, hands-on workshops, and discussions about overcoming barriers. These events inspire girls to see STEM careers as accessible and rewarding.
Intensive week-long programs during school holidays where students dive deep into specific STEM topics through projects, experiments, and challenges. Past camps have focused on forensic science, environmental engineering, artificial intelligence, and biotechnology.
Collaborating with leading organizations to provide the best opportunities
We collaborate with universities including Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College London, and the University of Southampton to provide students with access to open days, taster courses, summer schools, and mentorship from current undergraduates and academics.
Local and national technology companies, engineering firms, and research organizations provide work experience opportunities, equipment donations, guest speakers, and real-world project challenges for our students.
We work with organizations like the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), the Royal Society of Chemistry, and the British Computer Society to give students access to resources, events, and professional networks.
Feedback from program participants
"The robotics club changed my life. I went from thinking engineering was boring to knowing it's what I want to do forever. Building and programming our competition robot taught me more than any textbook ever could."
— Mia, Year 10
"I never thought I could code, but the coding club made it fun and accessible. Now I'm creating my own apps and I'm planning to study Computer Science at university. The mentors and teachers were incredibly supportive."
— Freya, Year 12
"Participating in the UK Mathematics Challenge through the Trust opened up a whole new world. I never knew maths could be so exciting! The support and encouragement I received gave me the confidence to pursue mathematics at a higher level."
— Chloe, Year 11
Whether you're a student interested in participating or a professional who can contribute expertise, we'd love to hear from you.