How Wired Brains Elevated JerseySTEM’s Operational Excellence

“This #LaborDay, we honor the resilience of today’s workers and the promise of tomorrow’s innovators. At JerseySTEM, we empower middle school girls with hands-on STEM opportunities, building the workforce of the future” 💡👩‍🔬👨‍💻

#LaborDay #STEM #FutureOfWork

Labor Day is a time to recognize the dedication and achievements of workers across the country. It’s a celebration of the resilience and contributions that have shaped our communities and our future.

At JerseySTEM, we see this holiday not only as a tribute to today’s workforce but also as a reminder of the importance of preparing the workforce of tomorrow. The future of work is being shaped by science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Yet, many middle school girls and underrepresented students still lack access to these opportunities.

That’s where JerseySTEM comes in. Through mentorship, hands-on learning, and community partnerships, we help students build the skills and confidence needed to thrive in tomorrow’s economy. Just as workers have built the foundation of our society, we’re committed to helping students lay the foundation for their future careers.

Labor Day also reminds us of the value of mentorship and community. Our volunteers, educators, and supporters dedicate their time and passion to ensure that students have pathways into STEM. Their work reflects the very spirit of Labor Day commitment, opportunity, and progress.

This holiday, we celebrate:

• The resilience and achievements of workers past and present.
• The dedication of mentors and volunteers shaping the next generation.
• The potential of every student to become a future innovator.

As we honor Labor Day, we invite you to join us in building a brighter future. Whether as a mentor, volunteer, or supporter, you can help inspire and empower the next generation of STEM leaders.

This Labor Day, JerseySTEM honors not just the work of today but the promise of tomorrow.

🚀“From classroom to cosmetics lab: JerseySTEM’s future chemists get hands-on with real formulations at NYSCC Suppliers’ Day 2025.”🚀

Future Chemists in the Making: JerseySTEM at NYSCC Suppliers’ Day 2025

Written by JerseySTEM Marketing Team · June 2025

It was a morning full of anticipation as twenty-four middle school girls boarded a bus bound for the Jacob Javits Center in New York City. These young students—hailing from Robert Treat Academy, Lafayette School, Bridgewater-Raritan and beyond—weren’t headed for an ordinary field trip. They were preparing to step into the heart of the cosmetic science industry at the NYSCC Suppliers’ Day 2025, guided by their mentors at JerseySTEM.

The buzz of the exhibition floor was a far cry from their after-school classrooms, where they’d been learning the foundations of chemistry. This visit promised something more: a window into how the products they use every day—lip balms, lotions, serums—are developed and brought to market by scientists, many of whom looked just like them.

Their day began with a deep dive into formulation science at the Croda booth. All three student groups were welcomed for hour-long sessions led by Rhythm Sharma and her team. The girls were handed real lab evaluation sheets and asked to compare three different lip balm prototypes—each subtly different in texture and performance. As they discussed the science behind “oily,” “sticky,” and “smooth,” the girls made real-time connections to what they had learned in their own chemistry experiments at JerseySTEM. It was hands-on, eye-opening, and for many, the highlight of the day.

Afterward, the group was treated to lunch by the incoming 2026 chair of NYSCC Anushka Nadkarni. Set apart from the show floor, this quiet moment allowed the girls to hear career stories and ask questions about what it takes to succeed in science. A professional photographer captured the group mid-lunch, preserving a memory of inspiration and connection.

The afternoon offered more moments of wonder. At the BASF booth, the girls explored emulsions and color dispersion, guided by chemist Tara Mercer. A quick stop at the Future Chemist Workshop, organized by Tom Drwiega, gave them a glimpse into college-level chemistry as they interacted with university students mixing and measuring active ingredients.

One group also visited Paradigm Science, where CEO Michael Manning took time to speak with them. Paradigm had helped sponsor their trip to NYSCC, and the conversation felt like a full-circle moment of support and encouragement.

But not everything was on the schedule. Walking through the aisles, the students made spontaneous stops that proved equally powerful. At the Ingredion booth, a former JerseySTEM instructor welcomed them with open arms. At High on Love, a founder the girls recognized from social media invited them to explore her indie beauty brand, sparking conversations about entrepreneurship, chemistry, and creativity. Other companies—Hallstar, Wacker, Alzo, and Deveraux Specialties—offered quick chats, product demos, and even fun giveaways.

These moments, both planned and unexpected, brought science to life. Students who once viewed chemistry as textbook equations now saw its role in innovation and beauty. They met chemists, engineers, and entrepreneurs who spoke to them not just as students, but as future professionals.

This trip wasn’t just a one-day excursion. It marked a step forward. The JerseySTEM team is already working on making NYSCC Suppliers’ Day a permanent part of their spring programming. They hope to grow sponsorships, deepen industry partnerships, and expand hands-on curriculum so that even more girls can discover the joy and possibility in science.

To the generous hosts—Croda, NYSCC, BASF, Paradigm Science, Seppic, Symrise, Zschimmer & Schwarz, Inolex, Ardi Gift/Jood—and to every booth that paused their busy day to greet a young mind with encouragement: thank you. You made a difference.

If you’re interested in supporting our mission or becoming a future sponsor, email Dennis Boyd at [email protected] or visit our Corporate Sponsor Opportunities page.

#JerseySTEM #FutureChemists #GirlsInSTEM #CosmeticScience #NYSCCSuppliersDay

“Celebrating International Women in Engineering Day by championing diverse voices in STEM! At JerseySTEM, we bring hands-on programs & role models to middle school girls in NJ, closing gender gaps and inspiring tomorrow’s innovators.

#WomenInEngineeringDay #STEM” 🚀

June 23rd marks International Women in Engineering Day, a global celebration that highlights the achievements of women engineers and inspires the next generation to follow in their footsteps. Established by the UK’s Women’s Engineering Society and now supported by UNESCO, this day is about more than recognition; it’s about driving real change.

Why Representation in Engineering Matters

Engineering builds the world around us. From designing bridges to developing medical breakthroughs, innovation depends on diverse perspectives. Yet, women remain underrepresented; only 16–17% of engineers and architects in the U.S. are women, and the numbers for Black women are even lower. This lack of representation isn’t just a statistic, it’s a missed opportunity. It means solutions are built without the voices of those most impacted. For example, facial recognition software has shown bias against Black women due to exclusion in development stages. We can do better and we must.

Honoring Trailblazers, Past and Present

From Ada Lovelace, the first computer programmer, to Grace Hopper, a pioneer of modern computing, to Katherine Johnson, whose calculations were vital to NASA’s moon missions, women have been quietly shaping STEM for centuries. Today, women lead in every STEM field from biomedical engineering to renewable energy and robotics. Their stories prove that innovation thrives when everyone has a seat at the table. 

JerseySTEM: Building the Pipeline for the Future

At JerseySTEM, we’re on a mission to close the gender and opportunity gaps in STEM especially for middle school girls in underserved New Jersey communities. Our volunteer-led, after-school programs bring STEM to life through engaging, hands-on learning experiences.

Each 10-week program is led by STEM-focused college students who serve as relatable role models in the classroom. These instructors are supported by professional mentors who provide training, coaching, and ongoing guidance. The curriculum is project-based and aligned with New Jersey middle school science standards to ensure both relevance and rigor.

All necessary materials such as robots, microscopes, and other lab tools are provided, and many of our programs include a fully funded field trip to extend learning beyond the classroom. Each cycle culminates in a community showcase, where students proudly present their projects to families, friends, and educators, celebrating their creativity and growth.

Join the Celebration

Let’s celebrate Women in Engineering Day by creating space for more girls to see themselves in STEM. At JerseySTEM, we’re not just recognizing women engineers, we’re building the next generation.

“Freedom without opportunity is incomplete—this Juneteenth, we commit to empowering Black women in STEM to innovate, lead, and shape the future.” 🚀

Juneteenth commemorates the delayed but hard-won freedom of enslaved Black Americans in 1865. It’s a day of reflection, resilience, and recommitment to justice. At JerseySTEM, we believe that true freedom includes the power to innovate, to lead, and to shape the future. That means ensuring Black women are not just present in STEM, but empowered within it.

The Numbers Tell a Story

Despite making up nearly 7% of the U.S. population, Black women account for only 2.2% of the STEM workforce and 6.4% of STEM bachelor’s degree recipients. In fields like engineering and computer science, the numbers are even more stark. These statistics aren’t just numbers—they’re missed opportunities, untapped brilliance, and persistent systemic barriers from classroom to career.

Why This Matters

STEM shapes nearly every aspect of our world—from the algorithms behind our devices to innovations in climate solutions and healthcare. When Black women are excluded from these spaces, the solutions created often reflect the blind spots of those at the table. 

For example, facial recognition software has shown significantly higher error rates for Black women due to biased training data. Medical technologies and research often overlook conditions that disproportionately affect women of color. These aren’t just oversights—they’re consequences of a system that lacks diverse voices in its design and decision-making.

When Black women are underrepresented in STEM, we don’t just lose talent—we risk building a future that reinforces inequality.

Changing the Equation

To close the STEM gap for Black women, we need more than good intentions—we need action:

• Start with culturally responsive STEM programs: Research from the Black Girls and STEM Education Research Initiative shows that culturally relevant, informal learning environments—like after-school or summer programs—can significantly boost Black girls’ interest and confidence in STEM.
• Build community, not just pipelines: Black women in STEM often face isolation. Programs that foster peer networks and community—like STEM sororities, affinity groups, or alumni mentorship circles—help sustain long-term engagement and leadership.
• Address systemic bias head-on:  Bias in classrooms, hiring, and evaluation must be addressed directly. Anti-bias training, equitable rubrics, and inclusive hiring drive better outcomes for underrepresented groups.

JerseySTEM’s Role

At JerseySTEM, equity is at the heart of our mission. Through after-school STEM programs, mentorship, and community partnerships, we provide spaces where Black girls can explore STEM with confidence and curiosity. Our volunteers serve as near-peer role models, helping students imagine futures they may never have considered. This Juneteenth, we don’t just celebrate freedom—we work toward it. Because freedom without opportunity is incomplete. And a future without Black women in STEM is one we refuse to accept.

🌐 The path from dreams to success does exist. May you have the vision to find it, the courage to get on to it, and the perseverance to follow it. 🚀

In the city of Karnal, Haryana, India, a young girl, Kalpana Chawla, would often gaze at the sky, captivated by the stars in the sky. She would one day turn that childhood wonder into reality, becoming the first woman of Indian origin to travel to space —and inspiring countless dreamers around the world.

Early Life and Education

Kalpana Chawla didn’t grow up in a world that made it easy for girls to dream of space. Born in 1962 in Karnal, India, to a family that had resettled after the Partition, she was surrounded by voices that told her to be practical—to become a teacher, or maybe a doctor. Aerospace engineering wasn’t considered a path for girls. But Kalpana was drawn to the skies. She excelled in school, driven by a quiet determination that set her apart. Refusing to be limited by expectation, she left home to pursue her passion, eventually earning a Ph.D. in aerospace engineering in the United States by 1988. Her story is proof of what early support and exposure to STEM can do—especially for girls bold enough to follow their curiosity, even when the world tells them not to.

NASA Career and Space Missions

Chawla began her career at NASA’s Ames Research Center after earning her Ph.D., focusing on powered-lift computational fluid dynamics. Her expertise and dedication led to her selection as an astronaut candidate by NASA in December 1994.

Her first space mission was STS-87 aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia in 1997, where she served as a mission specialist and primary robotic arm operator. During this mission, she conducted experiments and was involved in deploying the Spartan satellite.

Chawla’s second mission, STS-107, was a dedicated science and research flight that launched on January 16th, 2003. The crew conducted approximately 80 experiments over 16 days, covering areas such as advanced technology development, life sciences, and materials research.

Legacy She Left Behind

On February 1st, 2003, the Space Shuttle Columbia broke apart during re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere, resulting in the loss of all seven crew members, including Chawla.

However, Chawla’s legacy continues to inspire. She was posthumously awarded the Congressional Space Medal of Honor, the NASA Space Flight Medal, and the NASA Distinguished Service Medal. Educational institutions, scholarships, and even a Cygnus spacecraft—the S.S. Kalpana Chawla—have been named in her honor, ensuring that her contributions to space exploration and her role as a trailblazer for women in STEM are never forgotten.

Dr. Kalpana Chawla’s journey from a small town in India to the vast expanse of space serves as a testament to the power of dreams and determination. Her story continues to motivate aspiring scientists and engineers around the world.

Kalpana Chawla once said:

“When you look at the stars and the galaxy, you feel that you are not just from any particular piece of land, but from the solar system.”

At JerseySTEM, we are inspired by stories like Kalpana Chawla’s—stories that remind us of what’s possible when girls are given the tools and encouragement to pursue science. By offering free, hands-on STEM education to middle school girls in underserved communities, JerseySTEM seeks to nurture the next generation of engineers, scientists, and astronauts who will shape our future—regardless of where they come from.

Volunteer with us this fall to help inspire the next generation of innovators and changemakers!

What you can do:

• Volunteer with JerseySTEM to promote STEM equity. Apply through this link to become program instructors: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1E2cWGJG9p0ucJn6U2BQvgkV5ABHz96BSP3Dln4ePp0M/viewform?ts=67a67315&edit_requested=true
• Advocate for inclusive policies and disaggregated data collection in your local schools.
• Mentor a student from an underrepresented AAPI background.
• Support efforts that amplify diverse voices and broaden the scope of who belongs in STEM.

At JerseySTEM, we envision a future where all young people—regardless of race, gender, or zip code—can see themselves in science, technology, engineering, and math. That future starts by telling the full story, and ensuring no community is left behind in the push for equity.

Other Reference: https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/chawla_kalpana.pdf

🌐 How a Brilliant Physicist From a Small Town in China Changed Science Forever—and Paved the Way for Girls in STEM 🚀

In the early 1900s in Liuhe, a quiet riverside town in China’s Jiangsu Province, a young girl named Chien-Shiung Wu would walk miles to school with a notebook tucked under her arm and a mind full of questions.

Born in 1912 to progressive parents who believed that girls deserved the same education as boys, Wu was raised to think boldly in a world that often told women to stay quiet. She would go on to become one of the greatest experimental physicists of the 20th century—often called “the First Lady of Physics”—though many still don’t know her name.

From Nanjing to Nuclear Physics

After graduating at the top of her class from National Central University in Nanjing, Wu traveled to the United States in 1936. Inspired by Marie Curie, she earned her Ph.D. in physics from the University of California, Berkeley in 1940—a time when few women, let alone Asian women, were seen in physics labs.

Her expertise soon caught the attention of the Manhattan Project, the secret U.S. government research program during WWII that developed the first nuclear weapons. Wu played a critical role in developing the process of uranium enrichment for the atomic bomb. But her greatest scientific legacy came years later, in the form of a groundbreaking experiment that would shake the foundations of modern physics.

The Wu Experiment—and the Nobel Prize She Didn’t Receive

In 1956, Chien-Shiung Wu was asked to design an experiment that could prove or disprove a bold new theory: that the law of parity, a long-held belief in physics, might not hold true for weak nuclear interactions. It was the kind of idea that made headlines in scientific circles—and the kind of test only someone with Wu’s meticulous skill could carry out.

Her experiment shattered the public’s expectations. It proved definitively that parity was not conserved in weak interactions, overturning a principle scientists had believed for decades. The discovery was so significant that two of her male collaborators, Tsung-Dao Lee and Chen-Ning Yang, were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1957.

Wu was not.

The omission would sting for generations to come, but Wu continued on, with grace and brilliance, becoming the first female president of the American Physical Society and later receiving the National Medal of Science and the inaugural Wolf Prize in Physics.

“It is shameful that there are so few women in science,” she once said, “There is a misconception in America that women scientists are all dowdy spinsters. This is the fault of men.”
– Chien-Shiung Wu

Why Her Story Still Matters

At JerseySTEM, we work to close the gender and opportunity gap in STEM, especially among middle school girls and underserved youth. Chien-Shiung Wu’s life reminds us of what happens when someone is given a chance.

Even today, women are underrepresented in many areas of science. According to UNESCO, only 33.33% of researchers worldwide are women, and the percentage is even lower in physics. Role models like Wu matter, not just because they made history, but because they give young people permission to imagine themselves doing the same.

Carrying the Torch Forward

Today, Wu’s legacy lives on in classrooms, textbooks, and now, in stories like this. She was a scientist, a pioneer, and a fierce advocate for women in science. And though she may not have received the Nobel Prize, she earned something more enduring: the respect of generations and the power to inspire.

At JerseySTEM, we honor her legacy by making sure every girl who wants to build a robot, run a lab experiment, or ask “why?” gets to do just that.

Volunteer with us this fall to help inspire the next generation of innovators and changemakers!

What you can do:

• Volunteer with JerseySTEM to promote STEM equity. Apply through this link to become program instructors: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1E2cWGJG9p0ucJn6U2BQvgkV5ABHz96BSP3Dln4ePp0M/viewform?ts=67a67315&edit_requested=true
• Advocate for inclusive policies and disaggregated data collection in your local schools.
• Mentor a student from an underrepresented AAPI background.
• Support efforts that amplify diverse voices and broaden the scope of who belongs in STEM.

At JerseySTEM, we envision a future where all young people—regardless of race, gender, or zip code—can see themselves in science, technology, engineering, and math. That future starts by telling the full story, and ensuring no community is left behind in the push for equity.

Sources:

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Chien-Shiung-Wu

https://www.epa.gov/radtown/women-radiation-history-chien-shiung-wu

https://invention.si.edu/invention-stories/diverse-voices-chien-shiung-wu-chinese-marie-curie