It is the second year running that 3M has given its support to the national week, which has been organised for more than two decades by the British Science Association, a charity founded in 1831 with the vision of a world with science at the heart of society and culture.

The aim of the week is to provide a platform to stimulate and support teachers, STEM professionals, science communicators and the general public and encourage participation in STEM events.

Rich Howgill, brand manager at 3M said: "We are delighted to once again be a sponsor of British Science Week – it is a great opportunity for us to share our passion for improving lives through science.

"During the week we have been running a series of events at our sites around the country to connect with local schools and colleges to encourage greater interest in STEM subjects among young people."

3M hosted a careers open evening for 150 female Year 7/8 pupils and their parents at its head office in Bracknell, Berkshire, where the girls had the chance to visit the company's Customer Innovation Centre and enjoy a tour of 3M's laboratories and see state-of-the art equipment.

BBC South Today broadcast live radio and TV news bulletins during the event and reporter Alastair Fee interviewed three students from Bohunt Wokingham School. Kirsten Docherty, Sophie Hicks and Ellie Frost described the whole experience as 'a dream come true'.

Alastair also interviewed 3M technical manager, Sarah Chapman, who said that she was confident that girls can plug the gap in the STEM skills shortage. She added: "Our event has been a chance for the students to meet lots of female scientist role models, who were not all in white lab coats."

The event also featured a careers networking session, where a team of female employees were available to talk to the girls about STEM career options.

Mary Anstice, technical manager for 3M's Industrial business, said: "The pupils were really enthusiastic about what they had seen in the Customer Innovation Centre and the labs and many said that they would love to work for 3M.

"I was able to share the story of my own varied career at 3M that has included a number of roles in sales and marketing as well as research and development and explain that nothing is off limits. The evening was great fun and a fantastic way to show the cool side of science to girls before they decide on their subject options."

Added Rich Howgill: "We have also been sharing videos through social media channels during British Science Week, putting the spotlight on five female employees talking about their love of science, their experience of working at a science-based technology company and to reflect on the advice they would now give their teenage selves relating to subject choices at school.."

Katherine Mathieson, chief executive officer of the British Science Association, commented: "We are so pleased to be partnering once again with 3M as a sponsor of British Science Week 2017. Both organisations have a proud history of making science more accessible and relevant to the public. Through these shared aims, we have developed our partnership for British Science Week 2017, building on the success of last year's collaboration.

"As one of the British Science Association's flagship programmes, British Science Week attracts millions of people to join in with this nationwide celebration of science, technology, engineering, and maths.

"This year, thousands of events are taking place across the UK during the 10-day celebration. 3M and hundreds of other organisations will seek to shine a light on the UK's fantastic scientific talent, the latest developments in scientific research and ways that the public can shape the future direction of science."

Watch our Science Week video

Find out why women at 3M love science

Watch a three minute video of the 14 March event

Find out more about the British Science Association