Early Engagement in STEM

Sparking Curiosity and Closing the Gap

Recently, a group of female scientists teamed up with the Girl Scouts of the Chesapeake Bay Chapter in Wilmington, Delaware, to host the 2nd Annual IFF We Are Scientists Program, an interactive experience designed to spark girls’ interest in STEM careers. Their approach centered on increasing access, providing new experiences, and challenging perceptions, especially for those who had not considered themselves future scientists.

The gender gap in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) field is well-documented, and it begins long before college or job applications—often without even realizing it. According to MIT research, women make up just 28% of the STEM workforce. Early experiences, societal expectations, and the availability of opportunities influence this disparity.

Empowering Girls in STEM

This program began with a simple observation that revealed a bigger challenge: a clear gender imbalance in a local science club. When Courtney Bement, an IFF Scientist, signed her son up for an after-school STEM program called Science Explorers, she noticed that out of about 30 kids, only 8 were girls.

“I thought, why don’t more girls think this is for them? Looking back, I didn’t even particularly like science at that age! My own path to becoming a scientist was a mix of luck and timing—the right experiences, the right teachers saying the right things, at the right moments. I didn’t want the future of women in STEM to depend on chance.”

— Courtney Bement, Scientist

That realization, along with the support of other IFF female scientists, brought the IFF We Are Scientists initiative to life. Before the start of their first event in 2024, the girls were asked to draw what they thought a scientist looked like. Without any prompting, most drew women—a striking shift from previous studies where children overwhelmingly pictured male scientists.

“It was so good to see them already visualizing themselves as scientists. That’s the first step. Maybe even the most important one. It’s about believing that you belong here.”

— Alena La, Scientist

Research from the European Commission emphasizes that early exposure and supportive environments are crucial for maintaining girls’ interest in STEM. Combine that with gender stereotypes, and it’s easy for girls to miss the message that science is cool. That’s why the program focuses on younger age groups, making science accessible, exciting, and visible.

Hands-On Science Experiments

One of the things that makes the Girl Scouts STEM events special is their focus on fun and curiosity—not routine memorization. Rather than hosting just another day of activities, the team designed experiments that spark creativity and show that science is about asking questions and testing ideas.

Each year, the program features one experiment tied to a rotating STEM theme, so girls who return through 5th grade experience a range of disciplines. This year’s theme was “Reach for the Stars,” and the featured challenge was an egg drop experiment inspired by aerospace engineering.

The girls designed capsules to protect their eggs—similar to how engineers design spacecrafts to bring astronauts safely back to Earth. The timing was perfect: 2025 marked the first NASA astronaut class with more women than men, a milestone that fueled the day’s inspiration.

“We wanted to show them that science is about discovery, creativity, and solving real problems. That is what makes science so exciting. You can try something, adjust, and try again. That’s how science works in the real world, and it’s the kind of thinking that attracts young minds to STEM.”

— Courtney Bement, Scientist

Other activities included an enzyme reaction using catalase from yeast, paper marbling, and the ever-popular slime experiment.

Science is For Everyone

The event wasn’t just about experiments—it was about creating a space where every girl could feel welcome and inspired. Alongside IFF scientists, high school volunteers joined as guides, helping younger participants navigate unfamiliar activities. This intergenerational approach sparked meaningful connections: girls asked questions, tested ideas, and built relationships with older students and scientists, both early-career and established.

“The excitement in the room was the best part for me. It was really nice watching the girls of all ages realize that science is something they can do, something they can understand, and something they can be a part of.”

— Helen Laster, Associate Scientist

The younger girls saw themselves reflected in someone just a few years older who shared their enthusiasm. High school students experienced leadership in action, and adult scientists were reminded of why they had become involved in this work in the first place.

One of the most powerful stories from last year involved a young girl who initially didn’t want to attend—she had no interest in science and didn’t think it was for her. By the end of the day, she told organizers she couldn’t wait to come back. This year, she did! In fact, during the keynote address, at least half of the girls raised their hands when asked if they had attended before.

It’s not just about slime or engineering challenges; it’s about being seen, being welcomed, and discovering that science is a space where everyone can belong.

Keeping the Heart of Science Alive

This program shows what happens when enthusiasm aligns with purpose. Organizers are exploring ways to grow the program and share the initiative with other IFF locations, hoping the success in one community will inspire and reach others.

“Seeing the sheer joy and curiosity on the girls’ faces reminded me of why I became a scientist in the first place. The fun of discovering something new, the satisfaction of figuring out a problem, to me, that’s the heart of science. And that’s what we risk losing if we don’t make space for it.”

—  Alena La, Scientist

When science is genuinely accessible to all, the collective rewards are substantial: more voices, more ideas, and more innovation. It not only benefits the girls, it benefits the future of science.