PRINCESS Anne has visited a college in Reading to support the launch of a new game, designed to break the stereotype that science, technology, engineering and maths careers are more suited to boys.

The Princess Royal and patron of WISE came to meet female students at the University Technical College (UTC) today, Wednesday, January 23 to launch the new online game My Skills My Life.

The free to use game, released by WISE, asks players a series of questions and then matches their personality to what future career they should go into.

It aims to break the stereotype of young girls being turned off from studying science, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

Helen Wollaston, chief executive of WISE, said: “There is a stereotype that to be a scientist or a mathematician you should be a guy and we want to get more girls to see that they can be them too.

“The stereotype limits their options because the girls worry people will think they are odd.”

The group of year 10 and 12 students, who attended the launch got the opportunity to talk with Princess Anne.

Georgia, a student from University Technical College, said: “I think it was exciting and nerve-racking meeting Princess Anne, but a lot of people won’t get the chance to meet a royal.”

Sofiya added: “It was not what I expected it was fun and a really good experience.”

The students also played the game, which matches them to role models who can teach them about the careers.

Nicola, also a student from UTC Reading, said: “It’s really interesting to see what careers came up and it was a surprise to what I initially expected showed up.

“It’s really good that members of the royal family are here, and it will really help to encourage more females to go into STEM job roles.”

My Skills My Life is part of the WISE campaign to inspire people to follow careers in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).

Jonathan Nicholls, the headteacher at UTC, was delighted by the royal visit.

He said: “It’s an opportunity to promote the fantastic work that WISE do. It means we have started inspiring them.

“It’s important we break the stereotype at education level so young females aren’t put off.”

The Princess Royal has been a patron of WISE for 19 years and the company recently announced that the UK is on track to achieve one million women working in core STEM roles in the next year.