We were absolutely thrilled to welcome 50 bright and eager pupils from Fleetwood High, Carnforth High, Cartmel Priory C of E, and The Lakes School for a Cyber Girls First event on the 17th June 2025, an inspiring day of cyber security and coding. From cracking secret codes to defending virtual Lego worlds, the students experienced firsthand the excitement and challenge of real-world technology.

Hands-On Learning and Brain-Teasing Challenges

The day began with a warm welcome in Margret Fell Lecture Theatre, where Lancaster’s team—including Fred Binley, Ashley Fraser, and Dan Prince—introduced the pupils to the campus. Fred Binley delivered a welcome talk, showcasing the opportunities and excitement of studying at Lancaster. Dan Prince highlighted the growing demand for women in tech and cyber, inspiring the girls by showing that their skills and ideas are exactly what the digital world is calling out for. With introductions done, the students split into two groups, ready to dive into the morning’s activities.

Group 1 launched into the Invest & Defend Cyber LEGO Game, led by Anna Dyson, testing their teamwork, strategy, and problem-solving skills. Meanwhile, Group 2 tackled the intricate world of code cracking with Christine Lester from CreateFuture, learning how to decipher secret messages—a thrilling taste of real cyber security work.

After an action-packed morning, the groups swapped activities so everyone got a chance to experience both challenges. Alongside learning, the students enjoyed a well-earned lunch in the Sky Lounge, accompanied by STEM Ambassadors sharing stories from their journeys in technology.

Exploring Campus and Real-Life Tech Opportunities

No day at university is complete without a tour! Our student ambassadors guided pupils around the campus, showcasing state-of-the-art facilities and offering a glimpse into life as a tech student. It was a chance for the girls to see themselves in a future career, exploring spaces where creativity meets technology every day.

Closing with Inspiration

The day wrapped up with final reflections, celebrating the pupils’ achievements and curiosity. The energy in the room was palpable—there’s nothing quite like seeing young minds light up with ideas and confidence.

Thank You to Cyber Girls First

A huge thank you to Cyber Girls First, the brilliant charity behind this initiative. We’ve been proud to host several events with them and are excited to continue our partnership, inspiring even more young girls to explore the possibilities in tech.

Opening Doors to the Future

Events like Cyber Girls First are about more than just coding or Lego games—they’re about unlocking potential, building confidence, and showing young girls that a future in cyber security and computer science is within reach. We’re proud to play a part in nurturing the next generation of tech leaders, and we can’t wait to welcome the next wave of cyber pioneers!

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