Project Scientist

In case you missed it: Here's a quick recap of all the adventures our students had on their Mission to Mars earlier this year.

Our young scientists designed Mars habitats, built space gear, engineered parachutes, and launched rockets. Through hands-on challenges, they explored what it takes to live and work on the Red Planet while strengthening teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving skills.

One of our favorite highlights was our students learning to fail and persevere! They designed and launched straw rockets, using trial and error to improve their designs and reach the farthest "orbit." Along the way, they discovered how engineers use testing, iteration, and resilience to solve real-world challenges. “Some of the rockets launched and some of them didn’t, but it was an opportunity to talk about what worked and didn’t and make the full STEAM connection" said one educator.

Read more about their out-of-this-world adventures: projectscientist.org/spring-mission-to-mars/

🌟 Volunteer Spotlight: Nikita Mishra 🌟

Meet Nikita Mishra, a cybersecurity professional and Principal in Product Development, Security & Operations R&D at Alcon, where she helps build secure and reliable healthcare technologies where innovation directly impacts people’s lives.

Nikita supports Project Scientist because she believes early STEM exposure is essential for building confidence and curiosity—especially for young girls.

One of her favorite volunteer moments was watching students light up circuits designed as their future superhero sidekicks. “Their creativity and enthusiasm made the experience truly rewarding,” she shares.

Thank you, Nikita, for helping inspire future scientists, engineers, and innovators!

Last month, Project Scientist's VP of Strategy and Communications, Anushka Gole, had the opportunity to join a panel discussing the importance of role models and mentors for girls at the WTS International Conference in Los Angeles.

We are grateful to the conference organizers for creating space for this important conversation and to Jennifer Ibrahim for expertly moderating the discussion alongside an inspiring group of panelists.

A few key takeaways:
✨ The role model and mentor gap is real. It impacts both girls imagining their futures and women navigating their careers today. Many of the leaders in the room shared that they didn't have role models who looked like them growing up. That's why representation, mentorship, and visibility matter.
✨ Conferences like WTS are invaluable. They create opportunities to build connections, share experiences, elevate women leaders, and inspire the next generation.
✨ There are so many organizations and individuals dedicated to empowering girls and women from underrepresented communities. It was inspiring to be in a room full of people committed to creating change.
✨ Never underestimate the impact of a single conversation. Sometimes all it takes is one person sharing their story, offering encouragement, or believing in a young person to help them dream bigger.

At Project Scientist, we see this firsthand. Every time a student meets a scientist, engineer, healthcare professional, or STEM leader who shares their experiences, new possibilities open up. If you've ever wondered whether your story matters, it does. Join our volunteer community and help students see themselves in STEM and allied careers: projectscientist.org/volunteer

Leadership sets the tone for everything: the culture, the mission, the momentum, and the way teams show up for one another. 🙌

That’s why we’re excited to share that Dr. Patrice S. Johnson has been recognized by Purpose Jobs as one of the Top CEOs to Watch in 2026.

At Project Scientist, we’re empowering the next generation of women STEM leaders, innovators and disruptors — and Dr. Johnson’s leadership continues to help us grow with clarity, purpose, and care.

Congratulations to all of this year’s honorees!

Read the full feature ➡️ https://www.purpose.jobs/blog/top-ceos-to-watch-2026

Our students are the reason we do this work. 💜

So when we recently received this letter in the mail from one of our students, we were completely over the moon. Moments like these reinforce why creating opportunities for girls in STEM matters so deeply. To every volunteer, donor, educator, and supporter who gives their time, energy, and resources to Project Scientist—thank you. Every dollar donated and every hour volunteered helps empower bright young minds across the country!

Here’s the full message we received: “Dear Project Scientist,
I am a current high schooler and recently did a presentation on your nonprofit. I just wanted to thank everyone who contributes to this organization. I myself am very interested in STEM and seeing an organization that promotes young girls to pursue their passions in STEM means so much to me. This organization is encouraging young girls to explore their interests and is truly making a difference. I hope to volunteer in the future and contribute to this empowering cause. Keep making a difference!
– Anneliese”

Thank you, Anneliese. Seeing students like you grow and shine reminds us that the future is promising. ✨

Last week our students engaged in an incredible day at a Basketball & STEM Clinic presented by State Farm in partnership with the Project Scientist, Minnesota Lynx and Pack Off Court. Students got the chance to see how sports and STEM go hand in hand — combining teamwork, strategy, innovation, and leadership both on and off the court.

Huge thanks to Olivia Miles and Liatu King for inspiring the next generation to dream big, work hard, and lead with confidence! 🏀✨

A huge thank you to the incredible team at Genesys for making Team Day such an unforgettable experience! 💙 Throughout the session, students fully stepped into the roles of community designers, engineers, and problem-solvers as they worked to create sustainable and inclusive communities that support both people and the environment.

Genesys volunteers didn’t just guide students through interactive design checkpoints, they encouraged big thinking, teamwork, confidence, and curiosity every step of the way. You could see students lighting up as they shared ideas, solved challenges, and realized the impact their voices can have.

We’re so grateful to every volunteer who showed up, your time and energy made a lasting impact and helped inspire the next generation of changemakers. ✨

Learn more about hosting your own Corporate Team Day at Project Scientist by visiting projectscientist.org/team-day

Mission accomplished: Our Explorers Club crew trained like astronauts, engineered like NASA innovators, and imagined what life on Mars could look like. From launching rockets and building rovers to designing colonies on the Red Planet, every challenge encouraged our explorers to think creatively, solve problems as a team, and dream bigger than ever before.

After an exciting few weeks of programming with our students across the country, we can safely report that the future of space exploration is BRIGHT… and it just might include our explorers. ✨

In case you missed it, our 2025 Annual Report is here!

Together in 2025, we achieved:
✨ 25,541 STEAM education experiences delivered
✨ 11,658 girls* reached through educator training
✨ 3,073 girls* served directly in our summer, after-school, and out-of-school programs
✨ 366 volunteers who showed up to support and inspire
✨ 153 educators trained in equitable teaching strategies

These numbers represent more than reach, they reflect confidence built, skills developed, and futures reimagined. This is a reflection of what’s possible when community, educators, and students come together to expand access and opportunity in STEAM.

👉Check out our interactive 2025 Annual Report report here: projectscientist.org/annual-report-2025

"I get asked a lot about the "pipeline problem" in STEM.
My answer: there is no pipeline problem. There's a culture problem."

Girls aren't missing from science because they lack ability. They're missing because we've spent decades showing them a very specific image of who a scientist is, and it doesn't look like them.

That matters more now, not less. As AI reshapes every field, the students who'll thrive are the ones who believe they belong in the room. Confidence, identity, and a sense of possibility — those are AI readiness skills too.

Our CEO, Dr. Patrice S. Johnson, sat down with Alex Kotran on AiEDU's podcast to talk about why belonging isn't a "nice to have" in STEM education. It's the whole game.

https://youtu.be/k5UP1Ax5PYU?si=1uWaADoSSWJ4QMSu