121 STEM Women: Science Heroes
The Story of 121 Life-Size Statues of Real Living Scientists
Have you ever thought about the representation of women in statues throughout history? A 2016 analysis found that in the 12 largest US cities, there were less than six statues of real women. This is where the IF/THEN Initiative comes in. The initiative was created to inspire and promote the visibility of women in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields. Through this initiative, 121 life-size statues of real living scientists were created, including Minerva Cordero, a professor of mathematics whose passion for the subject is monumental all on its own.
The CEO of Lyda Hill Philanthropies, Nicole Small, started the IF/THEN Initiative with the goal of creating a culture shift in how society, particularly young girls, views women in STEM. The initiative has over 120 women serving as role models for middle school girls, showing that STEM careers can be held by anyone from anywhere.
The lack of representation of women in statues has been an issue for thousands of years. For too long, only artistic, political, and historical figures have been celebrated in statue form. However, the IF/THEN Initiative is changing the game by celebrating everyday people who are doing extraordinary work. By creating life-size statues of real living scientists, the initiative aims to inspire young girls and shift the perspective of how society views women in STEM.
The creation of 121 life-size statues of real living scientists is an incredible undertaking that involved cutting-edge technology such as 3D printing. Andy, the man in charge of creating the statues, had to figure out if it was possible to do life-size 3D prints, if there were enough printers available, and if the technology could withstand being in a public setting. The result? 121 vibrant, bright orange statues that twinkle in the sunlight.
The IF/THEN Initiative is proof that sometimes the most ordinary thing, such as creating statues, can have an extraordinary impact. These statues not only celebrate the achievements of women in STEM but also serve as role models for young girls to follow their passion and make a difference in the world.
Why Are There Statues of Scientists in a Park?
If you’ve ever visited a park, you’ve likely seen statues of historical figures, political leaders, and even fictional characters. But have you ever seen statues of real living scientists? That’s exactly what you’ll find in a park where there are 121 life-size statues of real living scientists, all part of the IF/THEN Initiative.
So, why are there statues of scientists in a park? It’s all about representation. For too long, women and people of color have been underrepresented in STEM fields. The IF/THEN Initiative aims to change that by showcasing 121 women in STEM fields, from mathematicians to engineers to astronauts.
These statues serve as a reminder that women and people of color can be scientists too. They show young girls that they don’t have to fit a certain stereotype to pursue a career in STEM. With these statues, the IF/THEN Initiative hopes to inspire the next generation of scientists.
But it’s not just about inspiring young girls. These statues also serve as a celebration of the achievements of women in STEM. For too long, only historical figures and political leaders have been celebrated through statues. By creating life-size statues of real living scientists, the IF/THEN Initiative is changing the narrative and celebrating everyday people who are doing extraordinary work.
The creation of these statues involved cutting-edge technology such as 3D printing, which allowed for the creation of life-size replicas of each scientist. Each statue is vibrant and bright orange, making them stand out in the park and inviting visitors to take a closer look.
The statues of real living scientists in a park serve as a powerful reminder of the need for representation in all fields, including STEM. By celebrating everyday people who are doing extraordinary work, the IF/THEN Initiative is inspiring young girls and changing the narrative of who can be a scientist.
Changing Society’s Perspective Through the IF/THEN Initiative
The IF/THEN Initiative is more than just creating statues of real living scientists. It’s a movement that aims to change society’s perspective on women and people of color in STEM fields.
The initiative has over 120 women from different STEM careers who serve as role models for middle school girls. The goal is to create a culture shift in how society views women in STEM, particularly little girls. The women in this initiative are like a big justice league, with their superpowers being coding and curiosity.
Through the IF/THEN Initiative, the hope is to show that STEM fields are not just for men, but for everyone. There are so many cool STEM jobs out there, from working with power tools to rare galaxies. The benefits of initiatives like IF/THEN are for everyone. They show that you don’t need to fit a certain stereotype to be a scientist.
Representation matters, and the lack of representation of women and people of color in STEM fields is a problem. The IF/THEN Initiative aims to change that by showcasing the achievements of women in STEM fields. By doing so, they hope to inspire the next generation of scientists, especially young girls who may not have thought that a career in STEM was possible for them.
The impact of the IF/THEN Initiative goes beyond inspiring young girls. By changing society’s perspective on women in STEM fields, the initiative is also changing the narrative of who can be a scientist. It’s showing that anyone, from anywhere, can pursue a career in STEM and make a difference in the world.
Overall, the IF/THEN Initiative is a powerful movement that’s changing the way society views women and people of color in STEM fields. Through representation and showcasing the achievements of women in STEM, the initiative is inspiring the next generation of scientists and changing the narrative of who can pursue a career in STEM.
The Importance of Celebrating Women in STEM Through Statues
Statues have been built for thousands of years to celebrate achievements, but not all achievements have been celebrated equally. A 2016 analysis found that in the 12 largest US cities, there were less than six statues of real women. This is a problem because statues represent our history and we’re missing half our population in that representation.
The lack of representation of women in statues led to a new statue initiative, which aims to install new statues of real women, like the first statue of real women in Central Park. However, statues don’t always have to be big historic figures or royalty. They can also celebrate living, everyday people who are doing inspiring work and breaking barriers.
This is where the 121 life-size statues of real living scientists come in. They are not just a celebration of science, but also a celebration of women in science. By creating statues of real women in STEM fields, we are changing the narrative of who can be a scientist and inspiring the next generation of scientists.
The importance of celebrating women in STEM through statues goes beyond just representation. It’s also about inspiring and enabling young girls to pursue careers in STEM. By showcasing the achievements of women in STEM, we can show young girls that a career in STEM is not only possible, but also exciting and rewarding.
The impact of celebrating women in STEM through statues is powerful. It shows that women have made significant contributions to STEM fields and deserve to be recognized for their achievements. It also sends a message to young girls that they can pursue a career in STEM and make a difference in the world.
Overall, celebrating women in STEM through statues is important because it changes the narrative of who can be a scientist and inspires the next generation of scientists, especially young girls. By recognizing and celebrating the achievements of women in STEM, we can create a more inclusive and diverse STEM community.
Creating 3D Printed Statues: An Incredible Undertaking
The process of creating the 121 statues of real living scientists was an incredible undertaking that involved cutting-edge technology and a lot of hard work. The idea was to create life-size 3D prints of the women in STEM to showcase their inspirational stories and to change society’s perception of who can be a scientist.
The project involved many challenges, including figuring out how to create 121 life-size 3D prints. Andy, the person in charge of making the statues, had to ask several questions, including whether it was possible to do life-size 3D prints, whether there were printers available to do the job, whether it was possible to do 3D scans full scale, and whether the technology could withstand being out in the public.
Despite facing many obstacles, the team succeeded in producing more than 120 statues. They printed each statue in 12 to 14 hours, and then painted them all bright orange, making them even more special to meet and interact with.
The project was an incredible achievement, and it shows the power of technology in creating something that can inspire and change the world.
Inspiring Others Through Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Work
The initiative of creating statues of real living scientists aims to celebrate not only the well-known figures but also the everyday people who are doing extraordinary work. As former US Treasurer Rosie Rios said, “we need inspirations in order to have aspirations.” This project provides inspiration for young girls and women who aspire to be part of the STEM field.
One of the statues featured is Minerva Cordero, a professor of mathematics who is passionate about her field. She believes that mathematics is the queen of all sciences and that it is present in everything we do, from data encoding information to making a movie. Her passion for mathematics is so great that she even talks to passers-by about geometry applications.
These statues serve as role models to young girls and women who are interested in pursuing a career in STEM. They provide inspiration for individuals who may feel that they do not fit the typical stereotype of a scientist. By celebrating everyday people who are doing extraordinary work, this project aims to encourage everyone to follow their passion and make a positive impact in the world.
Meeting Yourself in 3D: A Strange Phenomenon
The idea of seeing yourself in 3D can be a strange and surreal experience, especially when it is a life-size statue of yourself. In the video, the speaker describes her reaction when she met her 3D-printed statue for the first time. She admits that it was weird to think that this is what she looked like in 3D form. However, the experience led to a shift in how she viewed herself and her successes.
The speaker also touches on the issue of imposter syndrome, which is common among women who work in STEM fields. She reveals that she has had moments of self-doubt, wondering if she is good enough to be in the room or if she is doing the right thing. However, having a statue of herself has been a boost in her confidence and a reminder of her achievements.
Overall, meeting oneself in 3D can be an unusual and unexpected experience, but it can also be a powerful way to boost self-confidence and remind oneself of their successes.
Follow Your Passion and Who Knows…You Could Be a Statue Too!
The message that the 121 statues of real-life scientists are conveying is that everyone can make a significant contribution to science, regardless of their background or gender. The If/Then initiative is inspiring young girls to follow their passion for science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and showing them that they too can make a difference.
The goal is to increase representation in STEM fields, especially for women and underrepresented minorities. Through the If/Then initiative, these scientists are serving as role models for the next generation of scientists. As a result, these statues are not only creating a beautiful space for reflection, but they are also inspiring people to take action.
The If/Then initiative aims to highlight the incredible work of scientists in a wide range of fields and make their achievements more accessible to the public. It is a reminder that science is for everyone and that we all have the potential to contribute to scientific discovery and innovation. So, if you are passionate about science, technology, engineering, or math, follow your dreams, and who knows, you could be a statue too!
Conclusion
In conclusion, the 121 life-size statues of real living scientists in Madison Square Park in New York City are not just pieces of art, but also symbols of the incredible contributions made by scientists, particularly women, to society. The IF/THEN Initiative, which aims to inspire young girls and women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and math, is a fantastic effort that is using the power of representation to effect change.
The creation of these statues is an incredible undertaking that involves not just the sculptors but also engineers, scientists, and researchers who use 3D printing technology to bring the statues to life. The fact that ordinary people can become a part of this initiative and have the chance to meet their 3D-printed selves in the park is a strange phenomenon but also a testament to the power of art and science.
The importance of celebrating women in STEM cannot be overstated. Women have made groundbreaking contributions to science, and they deserve to be recognized for their achievements. By creating statues of women scientists, we can inspire young girls and women to pursue their passions and break through barriers in the STEM fields.
Finally, the message from the IF/THEN Initiative is clear: follow your passion, and you never know where it might lead you. Who knows, you could be a statue in the future, inspiring generations to come. Let us continue to celebrate the achievements of scientists and inspire future generations to make their own mark in the world of science.
