LIKE Rosemary Goring, I was not greatly enamoured of the sciences and maths even though I was at a single-sex school in the 1950s (“Single-sex science classes is an experiment worth trying”, The Herald, February 14.)

Later, when becoming a mature student at teacher-training college aged 32, I opted to study woodwork and metalwork (W&M) for one of my subjects. My husband was rather amused by my choice but I reasoned that, as I was good at sugarcraft and making celebration cakes and there must be a relationship somewhere, I should be rather adept at making things from wood and metal.

I was rather surprised to find that I was the only female in the class of teenage boys embarking on their studies to become teachers.

I loved the W&M classes. They gave me a life-long interest in “structure” and the “whys and wherefores”’ of the things we use. Part of the course, as well as the practical, was studying ergonomics, design and material sources.

At the end of the first year I did manage to make a rather intriguing “objet”’ which my husband thought impressive but said that he had no idea what it was. Neither had I but I had enjoyed working on it. I said that it was abstract art.

As for those Stem subjects, or some parts of them, it is never too late to learn.

Thelma Edwards,

Hume,

Kelso.