Determinator Diaries: March 2022

This month, my focus was on STEM engagement and Outreach activities, with International Women’s Day and British Science Week during the month, I had a lot planned.

I started out the first week of the month buried in paperwork and training, my husband’s visa was due and our mortgage renewal all due within the same week which was a nightmare! Anyway, I got there but the first week of March, followed in February’s footsteps of being a tough week. There were some highlight’s like featuring on three podcasts, with two being released the week later in Women’s week and another further into the future.

The second week of March gave me chance to rest and recover after the paperwork was all in check and I was catching up with myself on our tasks. During this week, I had International Women’s Day activities and providing mentoring to one of my mentee’s.

The third week was British Science week and saw my busiest week yet; I had two days in a primary school delivering STEM engagement workshops to 180 children. I helped with the wardrobe function for the Girlguiding stage show that some of our girls were taking part in for two evenings. I also provided some virtual STEM engagements and Careers Talks.

The next week, I hosted an #IamRemarkable workshop for some ladies I met during the Stemazing Inspiration Academy I took part in. I also delivered some virtual STEM engagements and had my monthly book club meeting to discuss our monthly read, Atomic Habits by James Clear.

That weekend, I took the Brownies on my first pack holiday to Dalguise for the weekend. It was fun supporting the girls through activities such as abseiling and archery. I also learned, I’m pretty good with a Bow and arrow, hitting bullseye consistently in my first attempts! Beginners Luck? Maybe but I took all the compliments I got anyway.

I arrived home on the Sunday evening in time to call my Mum for Mother’s Day and then it was early to bed.

In the final week of March, I provided more virtual STEM engagements and put plans into action for future episodes of my podcast and took part in forums for National numeracy, The Chartered Institute of Building and Girlguiding Scotland.

I am once again a bit behind on the Wellbeing goals, but I have made classes at least once a week and there was lots of energy spent on my weekend away with the Brownies so definitely a better month than February but lots of room for improvement again.

Continuing to document my progress towards my December 2020 list of 30 goals, I have done well on the STEM engagement front again, clocking up 33 hours of engagement and activities across the month. This was predominantly of my involvement with International Women’s Day and British Science Week activities. In April, this goal will take a backseat so I can focus my energies elsewhere.

I have extended my speaking and visibility skills and opportunities by being interviewed by three podcasts.

Continuing professional Development of at least 5 hours each month

· Donseed Training — 6 hours

· PowerBi — 10 hours

Networking (1+ event per month)

· 3x virtual attendance to Friday lunchtime clubhouse rooms.

· 1x NFB Virtual WIC room

Mentoring

· Met with one mentee to discuss progression

Inclusive Event or Activity

Read 1 book each month

· Read ‘Atomic Habits’ by James Clear

Podcast Goals

· Release episodes bi-weekly — released weekly episodes to date, up to episode 16 released at 31/03/22. I missed one episode release this month due to the Brownie holiday.

100 hours of STEM Engagement

· February STEM Impact — 33 Hours | 19 Activities | 2335 Participants | 2 organisations. This has been reached by creating content such as video, spotlight profile and a blog as well as speaking at events and delivering STEM sessions in schools.

Business/Marketing Skills

· 2 Mentor meetings

Other Activities

· Added activities to my STEM toolkit

· Did work towards my Girlguiding Qualification

· Did a construction engagement session with pupils at a primary school

· Random act of Kindness

· Increased my reach on my social pages

· Appeared on/recorded episode for other podcasts

March has been a great month overall, if not super busy. I am continuing to make progress towards my set out goals.

April, is on its way in and is always a great month, the month of my birth always brings out great energy and I intend to turn that energy into goal hitting precision that will allow me to celebrate some more progress by the end of the month!

Stay Remarkable, Determinators!!