Four young girls, who could be among the country's future scientists and engineers, met the Prime Minister today—on a bus. They were there to show Mrs Thatcher how the bus—a specially converted double-decker, equipped with the latest technology, is being used to spearhead a nationwide drive to encourage school girls to consider careers in science. It's part of the “women in science and engineering” campaign organised by the Equal Opportunities Commission. Stephen Cape was in Downing Street to see the launch of the bus: [end p1]
Cape
Traditionally careers in engineering and science have not attracted many schoolgirls and the organisers of the campaign hope the specially converted bus will help to stimulate more interest. When the Prime Minister went on board four Bedfordshire schoolgirls already keen on science and engineering showed her an array of equipment—computers and working toys. Thirteen-year-old Gill Reynolds explained to Mrs Thatcher how a dumper dtruck with a grab on the front worked:
Reynolds
This one is like a grab you might use ….
Thatcher
Yes—it's sort of built up on Meccano, Lego, presumably …
Reynolds
No, this is Fischertechnik. It comes from Germany I think …
Thatcher
Oh dear! (laughter)
Cape
It was a shame, someone said, the equipment wasn't all British made. The bus will begin its tour of schools in September and Gill Reynolds believes it's important for young people to learn more about science and technology:
Reynolds
I think today, technology is becoming more and more important. In almost every job you're going to need computers or pneumatics or anything, so it's generally—almost any job you could need it.
Cape
After the guided tour of the bus, the four young schoolgirls were in turn shown around 10 Downing Street. The Prime Minister is probably one of the best examples of a woman who has done well in her career:
Thatcher
People turn round to me and say, look, you're the first woman Prime Minister at Number 10. I turn round and say I'm the first science Prime Minister at Number 10.
Cape
Um, That's right.
Thatcher
That doesn't half shake them.