YOUNG scientists and engineers were able to get hands on and explore different career opportunities in a special girls-only event on Tuesday.

Year 9 students from South Wiltshire schools got the opportunity to find out more about careers in the fields of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).

Employers including the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), Public Health England, Roke Manor Research Ltd, the Royal Navy and the Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust ran workshops.

The girls were able to try laboratory techniques for chemical detection, emergency planning for disease control, blade design for gas turbine engines and see the technology involved in biomedical engineering.

The event took place in the state-of-the-art new facilities at South Wiltshire’s new UTC in Salisbury, which opened in September.