HOLLYWOOD star Letitia Wright met with British girls leading the STEM movement - one of which hails from Colchester Institute.
The Black Panther actress, who plays tech superhero Shuri, featured alongside young women in an online film launched by Shell, as part of the #makethefuture campaign.
Engineering Real-life Heroes documents the stories of four female engineering students, including Hannah Clark, 21, and her drive to become a future science, technology, engineering and maths leader.
She said: "I was really excited to see the documentaries and it blew my mind how amazing they all looked.
"They display really well what can be achieved by four everyday female engineers, and I hope others are inspired to have power in the belief they too can achieve the same.
Letitia Wright tries out a Shell Eco-marathon car
"It makes me immensely proud to think I could be potentially viewed as a role model by individuals who watch the documentary.
"And meeting Letitia was an amazing experience. She was so enthusiastic to listen to my story as an up-and-coming engineer."
Only 23 per cent of the UK's STEM workforce is female, compared to the rest of Europe, with a major hindrance being a lack of role models.
Wright's Black Panther character has inspired a generation of young girls to consider technology and engineering, alongside women like Anne-Marie Imafidon MBE, who co-founded STEMettes.
Anne-Marie Imafidon MBE
Hannah, from Clacton, has just completed her second year in Level 4 mechanical engineering, and worked her way from apprentice to employee with COMUS Europe, a small electronics company in Thorpe-le-Soken.
She said: "Encouraging future engineers is key for the progression of the future world.
"It doesn't matter if you’re not an A grade student, what gender you are, or where you come from - if you have creativity and drive, and a passion for engineering, you can still achieve great success."
She added: "I love how free engineering is - you're only limited by your imagination."Your creativity is what drives your engineering."
The films also shine a light on Hannah's preparation for the 34th Shell Eco-marathon, taking place this July in London.
The global competition gives students a chance to design, build and drive ultra energy-efficient vehicles.
This is Hannah's third year on Colchester Institute's Team Pteron, having been the designated driver in 2017, and now being team manager.
She said: "The aim of the race is to travel the distance in the set time using the least amount of fuel possible.
"Team Pteron will be entering a battery electric prototype vehicle.
"We've had one year and a tiny budget of just £2,500 to build the car. We used last year's entry as a basis, having analysed areas of improvement from the 2017 Eco Marathon, and have redesigned and rebuilt the 2018 car."
To watch the film, click here.
READ MORE: COUNTDOWN PRESENTER BOOSTS STUDENTS GEARING UP FOR ECO MARATHON
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