The expert who developed the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine has sparked a huge interest in science toys among young girls.
Professor Dame Sarah Gilbert was the driving force behind the Covid jab and it seems she is influencing children to turn to medical learning.
Demand for science, technology, engineering and maths toys soared by 122% year-on-year, according to industry figures.
The British Toy and Hobby Association said: “The popularity of STEM toys has increased with the majority of this growth driven by girls, many of whom have been inspired by leading female scientists like Dame Sarah and Dr Jenny Harries, the deputy chief medical advisor who has been at Covid-19 press briefings.”
Dame Sarah was immortalised with her own Barbie figure as a result of her pioneering work. The toy market fell by 3% to £3.2billion last year as lockdown eased and demand for games and puzzles declined.
But it rose by 2% compared with 2019, according to figures from market analysts The NPD Group.
New toys were unveiled at the BTHA Toy Fair in London today.
They include environmentally friendly ones such as the £29.99 B-Kind Eco Dolls, made from plastic bottle tops by Simba Smoby and a Peppa Pig Clever Plane at £34.99.
Simba Smoby’s Sabine Dix said: “This is the first doll on the market composed of 70% recycled material.
“The message is kindness to others and to the planet.”
