Through them, and a number of other activities, the initiative has engaged more than 2,200 school pupils and many of them have gone on to enrol for undergraduate and postgraduate Earth Science degrees.

The proportion of female students on the University’s Earth Science programmes has risen by 16% in just over a decade, while its success has also inspired similar initiatives in Ireland, Scotland and Wales, and diversification into disciplines including chemistry and ocean science.

Together, these initiatives are increasing the number of young women and girls considering STEM studies, and the proportion of female employees working in fields including geology, engineering and sustainability across the UK and beyond.