"Science is not a boy's game, it's not a girl's game. It's everyone's game."

These were the words of Nichelle Nichols, former NASA Ambassador and Star Trek actress. And she was right.

But it's taken a long time for the world of science to catch up.

As iconic scientist and Nobel Prize-winner Marie Curie said: "I was taught that the way of progress was neither swift nor easy."

Today is International Day of Women and Girls in Science. It recognises the critical role women and girls play in science and technology.

The day's purpose is to promote full and equal access to participation in science for women and girls.

Nichols' groundbreaking performance as Lieutenant Uhura inspired women, especially black women, to pursue aeronautics.

She helped women realise the possibility of doing something that had otherwise seemed out of reach.

There are so many aspects to science and the career possibilities.

For Flintshire bakery technologist Amy Jackson, her science path started in school.

The 39-year-old, who went to Castell Alun High School in Hope, said: "I was studying food technology GCSE but that option wasn't available at A Level.

"After discussion with teachers about career opportunities, because I wanted to go down that path but stay for sixth form at the school, I decided chemistry was the best route.

"My science teachers were very influential at school, especially both of my chemistry teachers (one of whom was a woman), who supported and encouraged me ."

Amy undertook two sets of work experience during her time at the school, at the Wrexham Maelor Hospital in the dietetics department and at Kellogg's in Wrexham.

The latter helped her realise the food industry side of things was where she wanted to go.

Amy now works with the Applied Technical Service Centre team at Tate & Lyle PLC in Mold.

She explains more about her role: "We are focused on helping customers worldwide make food and drink healthier by reducing sugar, calories and fat, and adding fibre to beverages, dairy and bakery products, soups, sauces and dressings.

"The team covers dairy, bakery, soups, sauces and dressings, and I support bakery customers from a number of different countries.

“There is such variety in my role, even on a day-to-day basis."

Amy's dedication and skills led to a personal career highlight, when she saw herself make it as a finalist for Food and Drink Scientist of the Year in 2018, something she is rightly very proud of.

While school provided Amy with the encouragement to pursue a science-based future, her biggest supporter was closer to home.

She said: "My greatest female role model has been, and still is my mother, who has always encouraged and supported me.

"Growing up, she was running a household, studying and also working.

"Sometimes I would join her at her work during evening shifts or during the school holidays, so she showed me from a young age the importance of being independent and that women can have a career.

"It also helped me to gain some valuable work skills from a very young age. She even sacrificed her Saturdays to drive me to and from long shifts working on a food production line when I was about 16 or 17-years-old.”

Amy's advice for young women looking to the future is "don't panic". She said: "I would encourage any young girl to gain experience in order to help decide what’s right for her.

"If you don’t know what you want to do yet, that’s fine, don’t panic - many skills are transferable and it’s also important to gain life skills and independence.

"Work hard and respect each job you do, as you never know where it may take you on your career path.”