Sophie Harker facts for kids
Sophie Harker is a British engineer who works with air and how things move through it. This is called aerodynamics. She helps design future aircraft for a company called BAE Systems. Sophie was one of the youngest engineers to become a "Chartered Engineer" at just 25 years old. This means she is a highly skilled and recognized engineer. In 2018, she won a special award called the Young Woman Engineer of the Year Award.
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Sophie's Early Life and School
When Sophie was 16, she visited the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This trip made her want to become an astronaut! She went to the University of Nottingham and earned a special degree in mathematics. While at university, she met Helen Sharman, who was the first British astronaut. Helen told Sophie that engineering could be a good way to become an astronaut. After that, Sophie focused on math that helps solve real-world problems. She also worked as an intern at BAE Systems, learning about computer software for engineering.
Sophie's Engineering Career
Sophie joined a special program at BAE Systems for new engineers. She worked on different projects, including the Eurofighter Typhoon jet. This led her to a team that designs new and future aircraft. Today, Sophie works on Team Tempest, a project at BAE Systems. She helps create new technologies for how future fighter jets will fly. Sophie also helped design the Skylon Space Plane. This is a special plane that can go into space and come back to Earth, ready to be used again.
In 2019, Sophie gave a talk at the University of Nottingham about "Women in Aerodynamics." She also helps encourage young people to get into science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). She is part of a campaign called "This Is Engineering" by the Royal Academy of Engineering.
Awards and Special Recognition
Sophie has received many awards for her amazing work:
- In 2016, she was named BAE Systems' "Technical Graduate of the Year."
- In 2017, she won "Graduate of the Year" from a group called SEMTA.
- Also in 2017, she was listed in "The Daily Telegraph's Top 50 Women in Engineering."
- In 2018, she received the "Bee Beamont award." This award is for new engineers who have done great things early in their careers.
- She won the "Young Woman Engineer of the Year Award" in 2018.
- In 2019, at age 26, Sophie was given the Sir Henry Royce Medal. This award recognized her research in creating new technologies for airplanes.
Sophie's Personal Life
Sophie Harker lives in a town called Lytham St Annes in England.
