A STEVENSTON schoolgirl will go across the pond to further her expertise in science.

17-year-old Jodie Guthrie is heading to New York in July for a three-day science conference and is real shining star for Auchenharvie Academy.

Jodie explained how she got the opportunity and told the Herald: “I’m in a programme for people who are wanting to do STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) careers and I’ve won a three-day travel scholarship to go to a science conference in New York.

“Miss Scott originally put me forward for a different programme and I never got in to it and a couple of months later to say there was a new one and it was opening to more people so I got into that one and you are paired with a mentor who helps you.”

The teen, who hopes to go on to university to study Forensics and Analytical Chemistry is travelling to the States with her mum and she will meet like-minded people as they prepare for higher education.

Kirsty Scott, the Faculty Head of Science at Auchenharvie spoke of the pride they have for Jodie and said: “It’s absolutely amazing. I was overwhelmed by it, it’s not that I couldn’t believe it because she is an absolutely outstanding student but it is an amazing achievement and is so well deserved.

“Thinking back to Jodie in third year, Jodie questioned her confidence and self-belief and we have had a lot of support and we’re now at the stage where she is potentially going to travel with one parent and going abroad, it’s been great to watch the journey that she has been on.”

Calum Johnston, headteacher at Auchenharvie Academy added: “Jodie epitomises everything that is great about our school. Jodie is her own unique character, she is strong willed, she is a fantastic person, she does her thing and she is very independent around doing that and I think those qualities and those values have stood her in good stead in order to get where she wants to go to and we wish her all the best.

“That doesn’t happen without the hard work of our staff and we’ve got an exceptionally committed staff in the school who help all of our young people and it is my privilege to be the headteacher and we have brilliant staff, including Kirsty and many others, who work with our young people to make these dreams happen."