Cyber Girls First Sixth Form Event

Posted on by Kate Jenkinson

Student interacting with model robot at Cyber Girls First event

On 14th November, we welcomed seventy brilliant students from six colleges—BRGS, Winstanley, Tauheedul (TIGHS), Blackpool Sixth Form, Ripley, and LRGS—to Lancaster University for a packed and inspiring Cyber Girls First Sixth Form event. And what a day it was.

From the moment the coaches pulled up outside the Management School, the energy was infectious. Students arrived curious, excited, and ready to dive into everything the world of cyber has to offer. After a warm welcome from Fred Binley, Ashley Fraser, and the Cyber Girls First team, we were treated to an inspiring message from Wendy Parmley, Lancaster University alumna and valued member of the Cyber Girls First team. Wendy shared her journey into cyber with honesty and humour, reminding the room just how powerful representation can be. Her message—that determination, passion, and a willingness to explore new paths can take you anywhere—set exactly the right tone for the day.

From there, the event unfolded into something far more dynamic than simply moving through an agenda. It became a celebration of creativity, exploration, and the incredible potential of these young women.

HexVenture—our creativity and problem-solving game—was a huge hit once again. Groups jumped into the challenge with confidence and imagination, crafting ideas that were thoughtful, playful, and technically grounded all at once. The feedback was fantastic, with many students saying it sparked new interest in cyber roles they had never even considered.

Tours of the Data Immersion Suite also drew huge enthusiasm. The interactive demonstrations gave students a glimpse of what university study really looks like, and many commented that seeing live research in action was motivating and exciting.

In the afternoon, all 70 students came together for a brilliant workshop delivered by Sarah Price and Mary Speakman, two outstanding industry professionals. Their session, Talking Heads, explored interview skills, current cyber trends, and the wide range of careers available across the sector.

But perhaps the biggest highlight of the day was the Exhibition Hall experience in the Library Event Space. Set up in a vibrant, open, science-fair-style layout, this session showcased hands-on activities designed and delivered by Lancaster University academics. Students could try to differentiate AI from human responses, explore secure coding puzzles, interact with robots, and get hands-on with a range of interactive demonstrations. The atmosphere was electric—laughter, experimentation, questions, and the kind of wide-eyed curiosity that makes events like this unforgettable.

The feedback from teachers and students alike was overwhelmingly positive. Many said the Exhibition Hall ignited a new interest in computing and cyber, and several colleges told us their students were still talking about it on the journey home. The format worked so brilliantly that we’re already looking at bringing it into more of our events going forward.

Throughout the day, what stood out most was the students’ willingness to challenge themselves, collaborate, and step confidently into unfamiliar territory. They arrived curious and left inspired.

To everyone who helped make the day possible—our academics, volunteers, organisers, speakers, student ambassadors, the Cyber Girls First team, and of course the teachers and colleges who joined us—thank you. Your dedication and enthusiasm created an environment where young people could imagine themselves in cyber futures, and that is invaluable.

We left the day feeling energised and deeply proud. If this group of students is anything to go by, the future of cyber is bright, bold, and full of promise.

We can’t wait to welcome the next group.

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