I’m Holli, an engineer with a passion for learning and exploring. I really want to inspire young people to see themselves as engineers and scientists* of the future by showing them what life is like as an engineer, the kinds of things you can do, and the kind of people you’ll work with as engineers [spoiler alert: there’s one of them just like you].
In 2019 I was lucky enough to be awarded a Fellowship by the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust (WCMT) which allowed me to begin this project. Each year, WCMT awards up to 150 Fellowships to individuals from all walks of life in the UK, and these Fellowships are all practical enquiries into real-world challenges.
“Travel to learn; return to inspire.”
The instruction given to all aspiring Churchill Fellows as they embark on their journeys
Join me as I travel to Africa to learn about the incredible engineering and science that is going on in the humanitarian sector – using science and technology to help make people’s lives better. You can follow my journey in the blog section of this site.
I’ll also introduce you to the fascinating projects I visit and the incredible engineers and scientists that I meet along the way. I’ll also give you some cool material for STEM lessons.
*when I say “engineer” or “scientist” then I’m generally referring to any role covered by Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM)
NEW!! Check out the new page Celebrating Female Genius, with a short biographies for some incredible female STEM role models and links to further resources
APOPO trains African Giant Pouched Rats to become HeroRATS – ready to detect deadly landmines or tuberculosis. Image courtesy of APOPO.
Burn is an innovative company that designs and manufactures efficient and safe stoves for use in the slums in Africa, saving fuel and lives.
Sanergy introduced Fresh Life toilets into the Kenyan slums and safely collects human waste and uses it to create both plant fertiliser and animal food. Image courtesy of Sanergy.
JOIN ME ON MY JOURNEY…
20. Trekking to the roof of Africa
For the finale of this amazing journey to Africa, I joined a group and hiked up Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa, and the highest free-standing peak in the world. It’s a 5,895m (19,341ft) high dormant volcano that springs up into three cones – Kibo, Mawenzi and Shira. Uhuru Peak is the highest summit … Continue reading 20. Trekking to the roof of Africa
19. Wrapping up my time with APOPO including a Full Cheek Friday Feast
My two weeks at APOPO has flown by. Today is my last day and so I’m feeling a little sad but it really has been amazing and I think I’ve made the most of it. I started today in Lily’s office as usual but we had a coffee and actually finally got round to completing … Continue reading 19. Wrapping up my time with APOPO including a Full Cheek Friday Feast
18 APOPO training, welfare, research and data
I was tired this morning after waking up to another rainy day. I started off by documenting all of the rats in the breeding kennels (which spelled completion of my Head Office rat audit!) and then I finished up adding the information to the master spreadsheet. Then I interviewed Pendo, a wonderful character at APOPO. … Continue reading 18 APOPO training, welfare, research and data
17 Early morning minefield training with the HeroRATs-in-training
I am not a morning person, but my 5:50am alarm signalled the start of a great day and I quickly rolled out of bed and made it to the rat dormitories for 6am to see the rats* being loaded on to the rat bus. By 6:20am we hit the trail. *They attain the status HeroRAT … Continue reading 17 Early morning minefield training with the HeroRATs-in-training
16. Starting week two at APOPO making myself useful
I started off this new week at APOPO in Cindy’s office, catching up after my first week and also so that I could conduct her interview. It was a really nice one and I find her very down to earth and humble, so it’s an honour to have such a brilliant scientist spend her time … Continue reading 16. Starting week two at APOPO making myself useful
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