STEM Education Initiatives

"In 1947, a determined young woman named Marie Maynard Daly walked into Columbia University and made history. Within three short years, she became the first Black woman in the United States to earn a Ph.D. in chemistry, a feat that shattered barriers and redefined what was possible for women and people of color in science. But Daly’s greatest legacy wasn’t just her title; it was her science. At the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research, Daly’s pioneering studies revealed how proteins are synthesized from RNA, a breakthrough so foundational that James Watson later cited her work in his Nobel Prize lecture on the structure of DNA. Long before the world understood genetics as we do now, Daly was already identifying the building blocks of life itself. Her brilliance didn’t stop at biochemistry. Daly turned her attention to a question that continues to haunt millions: why do hearts fail? Through groundbreaking experiments, she became the first scientist to prove the link between high cholesterol, high sugar intake, and artery blockage, as well as how hypertension accelerates heart disease. Every modern cardiovascular treatment, from statins to heart-healthy diet guidelines, traces back to Daly’s trailblazing discoveries. Despite her monumental contributions, Daly’s name has too often been reduced to a footnote in scientific history, remembered primarily as “the first Black woman Ph.D” rather than the architect of modern biochemistry, genomics, and cardiovascular medicine. Her story is one of brilliance, perseverance, and transformation. At a time when systemic barriers tried to define what she could not do, Daly defined what science could become. Her story proves that representation in science isn’t just about inclusion—it’s about innovation. Because when a voice like Marie Maynard Daly’s breaks through, the entire world changes." 🔗: https://lnkd.in/eW3EgVth #WomenInSTEM #GirlsInSTEM #STEMGems #GiveGirlsRoleModels

Children are natural-born scientists, constantly observing, questioning, and experimenting with the world around them. But how do we harness this innate curiosity to foster real cognitive development? The answer lies in visual experiments—powerful learning tools that go far beyond textbooks. When kids see an experiment unfold before their eyes, it transforms abstract concepts into tangible experiences, strengthening their ability to think critically, solve problems, and develop logical reasoning. Unlike passive learning, visual experiments engage multiple senses, reinforcing memory retention and deepening understanding. They stimulate both the left and right hemispheres of the brain, encouraging creative thinking alongside analytical skills. Moreover, these hands-on experiences cultivate perseverance—when an experiment doesn’t work, children learn to analyze, tweak, and try again, instilling resilience and a growth mindset. Studies consistently highlight that children who engage in visual learning activities show significantly higher retention rates, enhanced comprehension, and a stronger interest in STEM subjects. From a simple baking soda volcano to mesmerizing magnetic field patterns, these experiments act as stepping stones, helping young minds grasp complex scientific principles effortlessly. The impact doesn’t stop at intelligence—collaborative experiments promote teamwork, communication, and confidence, essential life skills for the future. As educators and parents, integrating visual experiments into a child’s learning journey isn’t just an option—it’s a necessity. By making science come alive, we’re not only shaping smarter thinkers but also inspiring the next generation of innovators, problem-solvers, and leaders who will drive the future of technology, medicine, and engineering. Feel free to share your thoughts 💭 #whatinspiresme

At one Virginia high school, learning science isn’t limited to textbooks or labs — it’s happening under the hood. Students in an automotive technology program are applying physics, engineering, and problem-solving skills to bring donated vehicles back to life. From understanding combustion and electrical systems to testing safety and efficiency, every repair becomes a real-world lesson in applied science. But the impact goes further. Once the cars are road-ready, they’re gifted to single mothers who need dependable transportation. Research consistently shows that reliable mobility improves job stability, school attendance, and access to healthcare — making a vehicle a powerful tool for social well-being. This program proves how STEM education, when paired with empathy, can create measurable change in a community. Students gain technical expertise, confidence, and a deeper understanding of how science can directly improve lives. Education with purpose. Skills with impact. ✨

You've probably heard of Marie Curie or Albert Einstein. But in a world where breakthroughs often make headlines, how do some of the greatest innovators stay invisible? Take, for example, an Indian scientist whose research shaped the very medicines we rely on today! In 20th-century India, Dr. Asima Chatterjee reshaped the field of medicinal chemistry. Yet, many have not heard her name? Born in 1917, Asima’s curiosity about the world around her started early, thanks to her father’s love for botany. Growing up in Calcutta, she excelled in science and mathematics — an unusual path for women in a time when societal expectations steered them towards domesticity. Graduating with honors in chemistry, she went against societal expectations and became one of the first women in British India to receive a Doctorate of Science in 1944. Chatterjee's research focused on the immense potential of plants in medicine, a field known as phytochemistry. And this led to her most significant contributions: the development of antimalarial and anti-epileptic drugs. To put her achievements into context, let’s look at the figures: ▶️ Malaria: According to the WHO, there were over 249 million cases of malaria in 2022, leading to 608,000 malaria deaths in a single year. While Dr. Chatterjee’s work primarily involved natural compounds, the antimalarial drugs stemming from her research have been instrumental in controlling this disease over the decades. ▶️ Epilepsy: Around 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy, making it one of the most common neurological diseases globally. The anti-epileptic drugs she worked on resulted in the development of 'Ayush-56,' a critically acclaimed anti-epileptic medication still used commercially today. For me, what makes her story even more remarkable is the era in which she lived! In the mid-1900s, women in India rarely ventured into higher education, let alone into the rigorous world of STEM. She authored over 400 research papers, making significant contributions to the field of organic chemistry. Her dedication to scientific progress led to the establishment of the Centre for Advanced Studies in Chemistry of Natural Products at the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, where she nurtured the next generation of scientific minds. While her research continues to shape the medical landscape, Dr. Chatterjee’s name is far less known than it should be. This post is a part of a series on Unsung Heroes of India's Science and Innovation. Image Source: @povmumbai (Twitter) #inspiration #science #womenleaders #India #innovation

How do we prepare today’s young minds to solve tomorrow’s greatest challenges? Enter Empowering Young Minds – a collaborative initiative igniting curiosity in STEM and AI across Malaysia, India, and Singapore. Solve Education! Foundation and Micron Foundation are teaming up to drive tech access and prove that innovation isn’t a privilege; it’s a right. Over the next three years, 10,000+ students in these three key markets will have the opportunity to explore robotics, coding, and AI through virtual projects and in-person camps, where creativity meets technology. But here’s the bigger picture: It’s more than gadgets and equations. It’s about preparing today’s youth for a world where AI is as fundamental as reading, and where their ideas could solve the toughest global challenges. Micron’s vision? To build communities where tech bridges gaps, not widens them. Bridging divides so that a student in a rural classroom has the same potential as one in a city lab. I’m so grateful to be part of initiatives that truly believe in young people’s potential to innovate, connect, and lead. Let’s rally behind that future! #MicronFoundation #SolveEducation #Education #AI #STEM 

This woman graduated college at 18, then put a man on the moon. But it wasn't until she was 96 years old that she was recognized with a Presidential Medal of Freedom. Creola "Katherine" Johnson was born to a lumberjack family in West Virginia. A child prodigy, Katherine excelled in mathematics and graduated elementary school at a young age. At the time, segregation was still in place and only white children were allowed to attend the local high school. So, Katherine's parents were forced to move the family to a nearby town, where Katherine was able to attend high school. By 14, Katherine enrolled in college. Katherine's intellect was unmatched. Professors soon began creating advanced mathematical courses just for her. By 18, Katherine graduated. Quickly, she grew bored of domestic life and returned to college for advanced education. In 1938, Katherine became the first Black woman to ever be admitted to West Virginia University. After struggling to find employment as a woman in science, Katherine happened upon a chance job opportunity: a mathematician opening at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (now known as NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration). From 1953 to 1958, Katherine worked as a "human computer" -- a job where human beings performed complex calculations before electronic computers. The department was known as "Colored Computers", where Katherine and fellow Black female colleagues worked on complex equations and projections. At the time, Black employees were forced to use separate restrooms and cafeterias. By 1958, digital computers were rolled out and Katherine's department was disbanded, while she was promoted to an aerospace technologist. That's when Katherine changed history: she performed the calculation to put the first man in space. She would go on to provide crucial calculations to various space missions, including calculating the trajectory for the moon landing. By day, Katherine literally put a man on the moon. By night, she and her husband raised their three children. When digital computers were rolled out, NASA used Katherine to verify the computer's calculation. Katherine would continue at NASA until retirement in 1986. Like many women in STEM, Katherine's story was largely unknown until the book (then film) Hidden Figures was released. That same year, President Barack Obama awarded Katherine the Presidential Medal of Freedom. NASA named several buildings after her. In 2020, Katherine passed away at 101 years old. How is it possible that the woman who put a man on the moon spent most of her life unknown? While I often share the stories of current women leaders, I'll be sharing more stories of women who are no longer with us for #WomensHistoryMonth. Because... if we don't tell our history, who will? Did you know Katherine's story? - - - Here's to Katherine and the women who built our history. ✌🏼 If you liked this story, subscribe for more. 🔔 #womenfounders

I am thrilled to announce our partnership with the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation to launch a brand new STEM education outreach program for primary school children in the Tottenham area. This kicks off in April and aims to boost the children’s STEM skills across energy efficiency, robotics, and sustainability. Schneider Electric’s STEM ambassadors will support the learning in person. Such initiatives dovetail perfectly with our drive to invest in early careers and the local communities in the UK where we do business. Please check-out our Making an Impact podcast featuring Marc Leckie👋, CEO of the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation. Marc talks about the important work the Foundation does, the importance of the Club fostering strong community ties and how it connects fans’ passion for football with meaningful causes. Thank you to the Tottenham Hotspur Football Club team for being Impact Makers and truly making a difference in your local community. It’s an honor to support you on this journey. Find out more: http://spr.ly/6049LttJN #STEM #Education #Innovation #Sustainability #ImpactMaker #THFCFoundation Check out the full episode of Making an Impact with Marc Leckie here: http://spr.ly/6040LMhXA

3D image technology has changed entertainment and science as we know it - all thanks to Valerie Thomas. This futuristic concept became a reality and continues to shape today’s technology, all thanks to this NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration scientist and inventor. Before her invention, visual displays were limited to flat, 2-dimensional images. Then, in 1976, after witnessing an illusion where a lightbulb appeared lit despite being removed from its socket, Thomas began experimenting with concave mirrors. By 1980, she patented the “illusion transmitter,” a groundbreaking system that uses mirrors and cameras to create realistic 3D images - holograms - that forever changed how we perceive visual information. This invention was later used in NASA satellite technology, revolutionising how we analyse and interpret data from space. It has also since been adapted for use in surgery, enhancing precision in medical imaging and procedures, And, of course, has influenced the production of television and video screens, paving the way for immersive entertainment experiences. But her legacy extends far beyond holography: 👉🏾 Thomas played a critical role in developing image-processing systems for Landsat, the first satellite to send images of Earth from space. 👉🏾 She helped to develop computer program designs that supported research on Halley's Comet, the ozone layer, and satellite technology. 👉🏾 She’s received many awards for her work and her activism, including an Award of Merit from the Goddard Space Flight Center and the NASA Equal Opportunity Medal. Thomas retired from NASA in 1995, but her impact didn’t stop there. She continues to inspire generations, to enter STEM fields and break new ground. Her invention changed how we see the world - literally and figuratively, influencing everything from medical technologies to entertainment. #ReclaimingNarratives

I'm delighted to share the STEM Competency Framework for Teacher Development, which emerged from my doctoral research and the design and implementation of the Build Your STEM Competency Open Educational Resource (OER) course for teachers. Over the years, I have been driven by a simple question: 'How do we move beyond teaching STEM as a collection of subjects and instead develop educators who can nurture problem-solvers, innovators, and responsible global citizens? The answer lies in building teacher competencies progressively through four interconnected dimensions: 🔹 Knowledge Building Teachers strengthen disciplinary understanding, pedagogical practices, and STEM literacy to build a strong foundation for meaningful learning. 🔹 Skill Building Educators develop systems thinking, design thinking, digital and data fluency, critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and problem-solving agility. They learn to connect concepts across disciplines and guide students in tackling authentic challenges through inquiry and innovation. 🔹 Attitude Building The heart of transformative education lies in mindset. Curiosity, growth mindset, collaboration, equity, inclusion, ethical responsibility, confidence, agency, and open-mindedness enable teachers to continuously learn, adapt, and inspire. 🔹 Relevance We often speak about rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and the growing impact of climate change. Yet the real question is: how many of us are actively contributing to solutions? Are we planting trees, reducing our environmental footprint, supporting conservation efforts, or partnering with communities and environmental organizations to create sustainable change? What gives me hope is the next generation. Through STEM education, I have witnessed students move beyond awareness to action. My students have designed and developed projects that address local environmental challenges, ranging from waste management and water conservation to renewable energy and biodiversity preservation. This is why relevance sits at the pinnacle of the STEM Competency Framework. What excites me most today is that this framework has moved beyond research and into practice. As education systems worldwide grapple with how to prepare learners for an uncertain future, I believe we must invest not only in technology, curriculum, and assessments but also in developing teachers as #designers of learning, facilitators of inquiry, and agents of change. I look forward to engaging with educators, researchers, policymakers, and practitioners who are working towards similar goals of transforming education through competency-based learning. #STEMEducation #TeacherDevelopment #FutureReadyEducation #STEAM #CompetencyBasedEducation #ProfessionalDevelopment #EducationalLeadership #TeacherTraining #InnovationInEducation #SystemsThinking #DesignThinking #EducationResearch #TribalEducation #SustainableDevelopmentGoals #STEMForAll