Emily Xu: 'Bethan and I presented our research projects, the same ones we presented as part of The Big Bang Competition, alongside young scientists and engineers from 42 other countries and we were judged by industry and subject experts.

'I was lucky enough to come back with one of the first place awards.'

Bethan Padbury: 'By the end of the week, we made friends with people from all over the globe and received awards for our projects based on the judges’ collated scores and special judging.

'I received one of the second place awards along with one of the Gao Shiqi special prizes for disseminating science.'

BP: 'I felt the experience was so surreal as I’d never expected being offered an opportunity like this. Emily and I both had an immense feeling of pride to be able to represent our country as young women in STEM on such a platform.'

EX: 'We were also extremely excited to meet so many other young people from around the world who are passionate about STEM. It was slightly daunting at first, but everyone was so talented and had amazing projects so it was a great experience.

'Neither Beth nor I came to the competition thinking we would win an award but just wanted to make the most of the once in a lifetime opportunity and have fun.'

EX: 'The most important part of winning one of the first place awards was doing so as a young woman.

'One thing Beth and I noticed was the gender imbalance at the competition, and the lack of women STEM representatives. It is very important to us to use our achievements to create a platform for other young girls to see all the different STEM opportunities available and how success in STEM is achievable.'

BP: 'Yes, going into CASTIC I hadn't contemplated receiving an award for my project. I wished only to take the opportunity to connect with other scientists and enjoy the experience.

'I hope this award shows success is not determined from your starting position and this is a time when women in STEM can succeed.'

EX: 'I just got into Imperial College to study Chemical Engineering, with a Kingsbury Scholarship. This will give me the freedom to expand my exposure in chemical engineering industries and gain more experience. Hopefully in the next four years I will achieve my degree.

'Alongside this, I hope to use my experiences to create a platform for young people and girls so that they can see how accessible opportunities are.'

PB: 'I hope to achieve a masters degree in Physics which I will be studying towards at Loughborough University. I’d like to gain experience within different industries to explore more career opportunities.

'Ultimately, I hope to be in a position where I can help facilitate the changes I wish to see within the future of science.'

EX: 'Many people have inspired me to work hard and to get to where I am. My parents worked really hard when I was a child to give me and my siblings the best chance that they could – they both studied at university and worked jobs whilst bringing up 4 children under the age of 5.

'My dad taught me maths so that I could get into James Allen's Girls' School, my secondary school, on a bursary. He has given me the work ethic and mindset that with the combination of hard work, effort and luck, you can achieve whatever you put your mind to.

'Additionally, when deciding what to study at university, a family friend told me that science isn't the place for a woman. This made me determined to not just pursue an education in STEM, but to achieve as much as I could in STEM.'

PB: 'I was fortunate enough to be surrounded by amazing female STEM teachers who have set an example for me, particularly at A level education. They have always inspired me to achieve in science and provided incredible support throughout my school life.'