A STUDENT is aiming to motivate young girls to get involved in science, technology, engineering and mathematics after the Queen inspired her to reach her full potential.

Samantha Imafidon, 18, a computer science student at Oxford University, first met the Queen when she was a young girl, and recently took part in a TV programme celebrating the Queen's 90th birthday.

Miss Imafidon, a Balliol College chorister, joined President Obama in the fly-on-the-wall programme which aired on ITV on March 27 and spoke of her life-long adoration for the Queen.

Miss Imafidon became the youngest child to pass two GCSEs in one sitting in 2005 when she achieved D and C grades in maths and statistics aged seven.

She said: "Apart from being a great leader, matriarch and adaptable and technology-loving, the Queen is also very human and shows that anything is possible for girls if they put their minds to it.

"I want to be just like the Queen and encourage young girls to get involved with science, technology, engineering and mathematics because there just aren't enough involved at the minute."

Miss Imafidon was chosen to be part of the programme due to her work in computer science and she spoke from outside St Mary's Hospital.

Miss Imafidon, from East London, said she hoped she would one day inspire other young women to follow in her footsteps.

She said: "I've always seen the Queen as a real role model for me and there aren't many female role models for young girls these days - one day I would like to be one myself.

"All people need to see is that maths is just a game and learning it can be really fun.

"I've already started working on an app for young girls who start their periods at a young age, which has had some interest from the NHS, and I hope that this will also help young girls in the future."

Miss Imafidon is just one of hundreds of people across the county who are gearing up to celebrate the Queen's 90th birthday, with community clean-ups, street parties and birthday ceremonies planned across the county.

She added: "I'm really looking forward to the Queen's birthday and to celebrating a really amazing woman who has inspired so many."

The Queen's 90th birthday is April 21, and celebrations are taking place this month, May and June.

If you are organising an event please get in touch with the Oxford Mail on news@oxfordmail.co.uk