Recently a group of 10 A level chemistry students got the opportunity to attend the London Calling 2024 event hosted by Oxford Nanopore Technologies. This enriching experience began with numerous talks from experts from all backgrounds working for Oxford Nanopore. These talks included everything from tips for A levels to in-depth information about how they personally got into the field. We had the opportunity to meet and interact with Nobel Laureate Prof. Carol Griedar from the USA, sharing her experience and journey as a woman in STEM.

Following this, the students got to attend workshops focusing on various fields related to Oxford Nanopore such as engineering. In the engineering workshop, there was practical experience with Seeback operators and how the difference in temperature is used to power a fan. There was a marketing workshop where students explored the diverse ways Oxford Nanopore promotes and sells their products. This ranged from making adverts to directly visiting potential customers. These were beneficial as they gave them a real insight into what it is like to work in sectors of a company that we may not otherwise have explored.

Finally, the students got to look around the workplace and interact with the advanced technology that people at Oxford Nanopore use daily. This helped us discover the various technologies involved with a career in STEM. We were also taught how to use a pipette in a research lab, developing our practical skills for the future.

Overall, this was a wonderful experience for us, strengthening our passion for STEM and exploring diverse career opportunities within a STEM company. 

Karolina and Maggie, Year 12