Breaking Barriers in STEM: ACS Hillingdon Student Finalist in International “One to Watch” Technology Awards

Vicky, a Grade 12 (Year 13) student at ACS Hillingdon, has been named a finalist in the prestigious Everywoman in Technology Awards “One to Watch” category, an international programme celebrating emerging female talent in the tech industry. The announcement comes ahead of International Women’s Day, highlighting the next generation of women breaking boundaries in STEM.

This marks the second consecutive year an ACS Hillingdon student has been shortlisted in the “One to Watch” category, reflecting the school’s sustained commitment to nurturing female talent in technology.

Alongside this recognition, the school is also celebrating the achievements of female students excelling across science and technology.

A passion for science and problem solving has shaped Vicky’s journey in STEM at ACS Hillingdon. Inspired by her parents, both of whom work in STEM fields, she developed an early curiosity for scientific discovery through experiments with her father and by observing her mother’s work as an engineer.

Now one of the highest achieving science students in the school’s International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), she studies Higher Level Mathematics, Biology and Chemistry and recently received the Women in STEM Award from Rochester Institute of Technology. Her Extended Essay, a core component of the IBDP, explores the relationship between blood sugar levels and dementia, reflecting a growing interest in medical research.

Alongside her academic success, she is a dedicated leader within the school community. Currently serving as Head Hawk [Head Girl], she also co-leads the school’s Medical Club, helping younger students explore careers in healthcare while sharing her enthusiasm for science. She also mentors younger students through peer tutoring in Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics. Vicky’s dedication to the field has not gone unnoticed with an impressive Chemistry Achievement Award in each of her three years of high school, as well as the Biology Award in Grade 11 (Year 10).

Her teachers describe her as an outstanding role model for aspiring scientists.

“Glass ceilings are meant to be broken. Break them, spread your wings and fly,” said Hala Mattar, Science Teacher at ACS Hillingdon. “Our science classes have as many female students as male, and sometimes even more. We have had many aspiring female doctors and engineers who have made us very proud. Our laboratories are equipped with the latest probes and sensors, giving students the tools they need to carry out meaningful investigations.”

Looking ahead, Vicky hopes to study medicine and pursue a career as a surgical oncologist, while also contributing to research into dementia.

She believes increasing representation is key to encouraging more girls to pursue STEM careers:

“If there is a single step we can take, it is to increase representation. Showing young girls that they belong in maths and science will be essential in inspiring the next generation of innovators.”

Why is this important to recognise? As of 2025, women make up just 28% of the global STEM workforce. The sector still faces a persistent “leaky pipeline”, with women more likely to leave STEM careers at key stages. This is not a question of capability. Women enter these fields with the talent and ambition to succeed but often face structural and cultural barriers that make it harder to stay and progress.

As International Women’s Day approaches, achievements like Vicky’s serve as a powerful reminder that the future of technology is being shaped in today’s classrooms, and that the next generation of female innovators is already leading the way.