Imagine seeing yourself as a life-size statue! That’s exactly what happened to me, and I’m not alone. There are 121 statues of real, living scientists, including me, in a park. But why are these statues there, and how did they come to be?
Two years ago, I was part of an exciting project. I became a statue because I’m an ambassador for the if/then initiative. This initiative includes over 120 women from different fields in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). We serve as role models for young girls, showing them that they can pursue careers in STEM too. Our goal is to change how the world views women in these fields.
Statues have been around for thousands of years, representing important people and events. However, a study in 2016 found that in the 12 largest cities in the US, there were fewer than six statues of real women. This means that many achievements by women have not been celebrated as they should be.
This realization led to a new initiative to create statues of real women, including the first statue of real women in Central Park. Statues don’t have to be just of historical figures; they can celebrate everyday people doing amazing things.
Nicole Small, the CEO of Lyda Hill Philanthropies, started the if/then initiative to change how people see STEM careers. One of the inspiring women in this project is Minerva Cordero, a mathematics professor who loves sharing her passion for math. Mathematics is essential in all sciences, from analyzing statistics to creating movies.
Minerva is so enthusiastic about math that she talks to people about geometry in everyday life. I like to think of her as a “mathematics cheerleader” because of her energy and passion.
Nicole had the idea to create 3D-printed statues of the STEM ambassadors. Andy, the person in charge of this project, had to figure out how to make 121 life-size 3D prints. It was a big challenge, but they succeeded!
Printing each statue took about 12 to 14 hours, plus some time for finishing touches and painting. The colorful statues are not only fun to look at but also inspiring.
Seeing my statue brought back memories of my journey. I grew up in Puerto Rico and loved math from a young age. With encouragement from my professors, I pursued a PhD in mathematics in the United States. It was a tough decision, but with the support of mentors, I achieved my goals.
Like Minerva, many of the statues represent ordinary people doing extraordinary work. We wanted to show that these women are all around us, making a difference every day.
When I saw my statue, it changed how I viewed myself. Many women in STEM experience self-doubt, but having a statue boosted my confidence. It reminded me of my accomplishments and the importance of following my passion.
The message I want to share is to find something you’re passionate about and look up to someone who inspires you. Follow your dreams and make a difference in the world. Becoming a statue is just a bonus!
Rethinking who we celebrate with statues shows that even ordinary actions can have an extraordinary impact. So, next time you see a statue, think about the story behind it and the inspiration it can bring.
Do you mind if I take a selfie?
Imagine you are a scientist who has made a significant contribution to your field. Create a design for a life-size statue of yourself. Think about the pose, the materials, and any symbols that represent your achievements. Share your design with the class and explain why you chose those elements.
Choose a woman in STEM who inspires you. Research her life, her contributions to science, and how she has impacted the world. Create a short presentation to share with your classmates, highlighting why she deserves recognition and how she serves as a role model for others.
Go on a virtual scavenger hunt to find statues of women in STEM around the world. Use online resources to discover where these statues are located and learn about the women they represent. Create a map to show your findings and discuss the importance of these statues in celebrating women’s achievements.
Write a letter to one of the STEM ambassadors mentioned in the article, such as Minerva Cordero. Express how her story inspires you and ask any questions you have about her journey in STEM. Share your letter with the class and discuss the impact of having role models in science.
Design a poster that encourages young girls to pursue careers in STEM. Include information about different STEM fields, famous women scientists, and the benefits of working in these areas. Use visuals and creative slogans to make your poster engaging and informative. Display your poster in the classroom to inspire others.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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It’s so interesting to think about what I look like in a 3D form. Before we dive deeper, here’s some important context: there’s a life-size statue of me in a park. But it’s not just me; I’m one of 121 statues of real living scientists. Don’t we look cool?
You might be wondering… why are there 121 statues of scientists in a park? And how did they all get there? Well, that involves a big idea, cutting-edge technology, and a common issue with statues as we know them.
Two years ago, I found myself in a room at a museum, going through the process of becoming a statue. This came about because I’m an ambassador for the if/then initiative. I’m one of over 120 women from various science, technology, engineering, and mathematics careers who serve as role models for middle school girls. We’re like a big team, but our strengths are coding and curiosity. The goal is to create a cultural shift in how particularly young girls, and the world, view women in STEM.
This is Nicole Small, the CEO of Lyda Hill Philanthropies, who started the if/then initiative. The aim is to change perspectives and help people understand the vast array of exciting STEM careers available. The benefits of initiatives like if/then extend to everyone, showing that you don’t need to fit a specific stereotype to be a scientist. You can come from anywhere and work with all sorts of things, from power tools to rare galaxies.
But what does this have to do with statues? Statues have been significant for thousands of years, representing artistic, political, and historical remembrance. Even if you think you’re not influenced by them, these monuments convey a lot about society. Just consider the lengths people go to in order to protest against certain statues.
However, statues have not equally celebrated achievements. A 2016 analysis found that in the 12 largest US cities, there were fewer than six statues of real women. Fictional characters and goddesses don’t count as real women. As former US treasurer Rosie Rios pointed out, this representation of history misses half of our population. Once you hear that statistic, you can’t ignore it, and once you see these statues, you can’t unsee them. It became clear that there are very few statues of real women.
This analysis led to a new statue initiative, resulting in the installation of new statues, including the first statue of real women in Central Park. Statues don’t always have to represent historic figures or royalty; we can celebrate everyday people who are doing inspiring work and breaking barriers. As Rios mentioned in a recent TEDx talk, we need inspirations to have aspirations.
For Nicole and her group of amazing STEM ambassadors, there was an opportunity to share the inspirational stories of women in STEM, like Minerva Cordero, a professor of mathematics whose passion is remarkable. Mathematics is fundamental to all sciences. Everything involves mathematics, whether it’s analyzing statistics or encoding information for movies.
Minerva is so passionate that she engages passers-by about the applications of geometry. After all of this, I have a new title for her – she’s a mathematics cheerleader! Her enthusiasm is evident, and it truly shows.
So how does a professor become a statue who might inspire others to pursue STEM? Nicole had the idea to create 3D prints. Meet Andy, who was tasked with figuring out how to create 121 statues. This involved many questions: Is it possible to do life-size 3D prints? Are there printers available? Can we do 3D scans of the human form?
Producing more than 120 statues is a significant undertaking. A couple of thousand years ago, it took an estimated 700,000 laborers and 40 years to complete the Terracotta Warriors! Many people thought we were crazy, but when people say that, it’s exciting to prove them wrong. And yes, they could do it!
Printing me in 3D was quicker than expected. Generally, it takes about 12 to 14 hours, followed by finishing and painting. The vibrant colors make them even more special to interact with.
My first reaction brought back many memories of my journey. I was born and raised in Puerto Rico and loved mathematics from an early age. When I was finishing college, one of my professors encouraged me to pursue a PhD in mathematics. It was a challenging decision to leave Puerto Rico for the United States, but I did it! Thanks to my mentor and many others along the way, I was able to achieve my goals.
Like Minerva, many of the statues represent ordinary people doing extraordinary work. We didn’t want to put them on pedestals like typical statues; we wanted to show that these women are all around us, doing amazing things that often go unnoticed.
Of course, I had to meet the statues for myself, including meeting my own statue. I had only seen a few statues displayed together before, but everything is bigger in Texas. I was a bit nervous because I had never met myself in 3D before, but I was excited to find where I was.
It’s quite strange to see a statue of myself. The exhibit aims to inspire others, but it also shifted how I view myself in a positive way. Many women in STEM experience imposter syndrome, and I’ve had moments of self-doubt about my place in the field. But now, I have a statue, which has boosted my confidence and changed how I view my accomplishments.
So, what practical message can I share with everyone watching? To become a statue, find something you’re passionate about and look up to someone who inspires you. Follow your passion! I hope people feel inspired to change the world because they want to. Becoming a statue is just an added bonus!
Rethinking who we celebrate in society and who gets turned into statues shows that sometimes the most ordinary actions can have an extraordinary impact.
Do you mind if I take a selfie?
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This version maintains the essence of the original transcript while removing any informal language or expressions.
Statue – A three-dimensional work of art, usually representing a person or animal, created by sculpting, modeling, or casting. – The museum displayed a statue of the famous scientist, honoring her contributions to chemistry.
Stem – An acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, representing fields of study and careers focused on these disciplines. – Many schools are encouraging students to pursue STEM careers to meet the growing demand for skilled professionals in these areas.
Women – Refers to female individuals, often highlighted in discussions about gender equality and representation in various fields, including STEM and the arts. – The conference celebrated the achievements of women in engineering, showcasing their groundbreaking projects and research.
Mathematics – The abstract science of number, quantity, and space, used in various fields such as physics, engineering, and computer science. – Understanding mathematics is essential for solving complex problems in computer programming and data analysis.
Initiative – A plan or strategy intended to resolve a problem or improve a situation, often requiring proactive effort and leadership. – The school’s new initiative aims to increase student interest in art by integrating technology into the curriculum.
Ambassadors – Individuals who represent and promote a specific cause or organization, often tasked with spreading awareness and engaging with the community. – The science fair selected student ambassadors to encourage participation and share their passion for STEM subjects.
Project – A planned undertaking or assignment that involves research, design, and execution, often completed over a period of time. – For her science project, Maria built a model of a solar-powered car to demonstrate renewable energy concepts.
Confidence – A feeling of self-assurance arising from one’s abilities or qualities, often important in pursuing challenging tasks or subjects. – Gaining confidence in her coding skills, Sarah decided to enter the national robotics competition.
Geometry – A branch of mathematics concerned with the properties and relations of points, lines, surfaces, and solids. – In geometry class, students learned how to calculate the area and perimeter of different shapes.
Inspiration – The process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially something creative or innovative. – The artist found inspiration in nature, using the patterns of leaves and flowers in her paintings.
