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Maryport Engineer Wins Women in STEM Award for Founding Children’s STEM Academy

Prime Highlights

  • Alyx Murdock was named winner of the Women in STEM category at this year’s Women’s Business Awards for founding the Solway STEM Academy.
  • Her work focuses on making science, technology, engineering and maths engaging and accessible for children through hands-on learning.

Key Facts

  • Since April 2025, Murdock has created 13 STEM programmes and delivered 22 sessions to more than 500 children through the Solway STEM Academy.
  • The Women’s Business Awards featured 425 finalists from 78 countries, recognising leadership and innovation across global industries.

Background

Alyx Murdock, a chartered engineer from Maryport, has been named the winner of the Women in STEM category at this year’s Women’s Business Awards. She received the honour for founding the Solway STEM Academy, an initiative aimed at encouraging children to explore science, technology, engineering and maths through hands-on learning.

Murdock, a mother of three, works part-time for Amentum at the Westlakes Science and Technology Park. She launched the Solway STEM Academy earlier this year to make STEM subjects more fun and easy for young learners. The academy runs interactive sessions that spark curiosity and build confidence in science and engineering from a young age.

Judges selected Murdock from a strong group of nominees, citing her creativity, dedication and meaningful contribution to the STEM sector. Speaking after the announcement, she said she was surprised and delighted to win the award, which she watched online. She added that the recognition was especially meaningful as it came alongside the launch of her latest children’s book for young engineers.

The Women’s Business Awards this year saw 425 finalists and thousands of nominees from 78 countries, celebrating leadership, innovation and impact across industries worldwide.

Since April 2025, Murdock has developed 13 original STEM programmes and delivered 22 sessions to more than 500 children. She has also published her second STEM-inspired storybook, Grace and the Theme Park Engineers, which introduces engineering concepts through teamwork, planning, and problem-solving.

With more than 15 years of experience as a STEM Ambassador, Murdock has now reached over 7,000 young people. Her work focuses on showing how science and maths connect to everyday life and encouraging more girls to consider future careers in science and engineering.