The start of something bold
Because every movement begins with a story and this one started with a girl who deserved to see herself in it
How it All Started
TheSTEMGirl was founded by Jennifer Ladipo after she noticed how few girls were present in her engineering university classes. Determined to understand the root of this underrepresentation, she began exploring the deeper barriers keeping girls out of STEM.
It became clear that girls weren’t opting out of engineering because of a lack of ability, but because the world around them told a different story. In classrooms, media, and everyday environments, girls were rarely cast as the ones designing, building, discovering, or leading. Without those examples, the pathway into STEM felt distant and unfamiliar.
This narrative gap matters and research revealed a powerful insight: girls deeply internalize the protagonists they see in stories. When a character who looks like them solves problems, takes risks, or builds boldly, it expands what feels possible.
That small shift in identity can change everything
Imagination becomes practice, and practice becomes action
That insight sparked the creation of a new kind of children’s book. One where girls take the lead. While still in university, Jennifer began writing stories that featured young girls as curious, capable protagonists. Stories where girls explored STEM, solved problems, and embraced creativity.
What began as a dream to see more women in engineering evolved into a full learning framework, one that integrates storytelling with engineering design to help girls imagine, create, and lead with confidence.
