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THE BOOK OF STEM SUPERHEROES How DoSomething Members Are Using Art to (Super)empower the Next Generation
Women, people of color, and people with disabilities are less likely to pursue STEM careers. One big reason for this lack of representation? These groups are less likely to be exposed to STEM (and how amazing it can be!) at an early age. That’s why DoSomething created the STEM Superheroes art contest and campaign, in partnership with 3M! We asked young people to create original STEM superheroes who use science, tech, engineering, and math (STEM) to save the world, and their responses just blew us away. Using that incredible artwork, thousands of DoSomething members then shared the superheroes with elementary and middle school students to show them that they too can use STEM to change the world. Plus, DoSomething chose one exceptional submission (read about Maria below!) that has been reproduced and distributed to over 5,000 elementary and middle schools, reaching upwards of 135,000 students with Maria’s powerful message of STEM inclusion. I have been so inspired by the talent and impact of this campaign. This book has compiled a tiiiiny sample of the literally unreal artwork and powerful testimony we received. Thank you again for being part of this movement, and enjoy reading (and sharing!) this truly unbelievable collection.
Let’s Do This! Sahara Campaign Manager, DoSomething.org
Even before the STEM Superheroes campaign, Dr. Sproutfast was an original character 19-year-old Maria had been thinking about for a long time. As a sophomore biology major, Maria sees scientists from all backgrounds in her hometown of Miami, Florida, and she wanted to bring that kind of representation to other students in STEM. Here’s more from the young woman (and future scientist) behind Dr. Sproutfast, who was printed on a poster and sent to 5,000 schools (and earned Maria a $5,000 scholarship)!
Why is this campaign important to you? This campaign is important to me because I’ve never felt very well represented in STEM myself. All of the characters who get the STEM story lines and motivational montages and, well, impactful representation, were always boys, and usually American, able-bodied, suburban/middle-class, and Caucasian. (I’m Latina, and have a chronic condition.) As time progressed, I watched more girls and people of color become the “scientist” cast member in shows or films, and earn more respect in their own right. This development made me feel safer about STEM, and made me want to continue that representational work in my own private creative outlets. However, on the broader scale, I think we still have a lot of work to do before our voices are heard in equal amounts. How do you feel knowing that your poster will be sent to 5,000 schools with underrepresented groups in STEM?
Above: The original reportback that Maria submitted to DoSomething.org. The final poster that was sent to schools is on the following page.
DoSomething: What inspired you to create Dr. Sproutfast?
It’s an incredible feeling! Though I might be a bit self-conscious about it, I take some pride knowing that a goofy original character I made when I was a kid could have even the slightest impact on someone I don’t know. It makes me feel like all the time I invested in these creative hobbies might be worthwhile to someone other than myself. I appreciate it tremendously.
Maria: I’ve always been into superhero media, and I was particularly into creating my own original superheroes with my friends and sharing our stories with each other. Dr. Sproutfast’s original concept was slightly different, but I tweaked her design so that her powers could have more of an impact on the global scale, as well as have her feel more grounded as an actual scientist, rather than as a masked wonder. What got you interested in pursuing biology? Weirdly enough, science fiction got me interested in biology! Exploring the unknown, discovering new things and creatures, understanding intricate and incredibly detailed anatomy...these are all themes prevalent in sci-fi media that I was exposed to while growing up, and it seemed as though no other subject could hold my interest and wonder like biology could. My goals within biology have become more realistic as time progressed, but I still carry my original love for it everywhere.
Above: DoSomething Member Maria, Winner of the STEM Superheroes Art Contest!
WHO IS DR. SPROUTFAST? 3 TRAITS TO DESCRIBE HER: Pragmatic: She uses her power to its fullest potential. Passionate: She organizes these campaigns all by herself. Sympathetic: She wants to heal the world and its people. WHICH STEM SKILLS DOES SHE HAVE? Dr. Sproutfast was a botanist and climate engineer before the accident. An expert in the field of plant husbandry and conversation, she would’ve continued on that path if she hadn’t suddenly gained powers of accelerated plant cell growth. Using these powers (and her devotion to saving the planet), she brings thousands of plant seeds to urban districts that haven’t seen grass in years, growing them within minutes to feed the city and reduce its carbon footprint tenfold. She travels the world, planting and campaigning for her cause. HOW WILL SHE IMPROVE THE WORLD? Her goal is to travel the planet and bring plant life back into urban space. This boosts food production--her urban gardens are both lush and practical--which then creates jobs and shelter for those that are struggling. The plants also consume the carbon suffocating the city, releasing thousands of gallons of clean air back into the atmosphere. Less carbon means less greenhouse gas, and slowly but surely, her planet-wide plant-venture is undoing the damage of climate change.
Dr. Sproutfast has the power to grow plants within minutes! She uses this power to bring thousands of plant seeds to communities that haven’t seen grass in years! Growing plants not only makes urban areas more beautiful, but also reduces the carbon footprint, boosts food production, and brings jobs and shelter to the people in the community.
Text STEM to 38383 to learn more.
Created by DoSomething member Maria from Miami, FL.
STEM SUPERHERO GALLERY We asked young people to create original STEM superheroes who use science, tech, engineering, and math (STEM) to save the world and these are a selection of some of their responses.
Left Page (starting top left corner going clockwise) Superheroes created DoSomething Members: Morgan, Taleah, Andys, Taleah, Yazmin, and Ana.
ON HER WAY TO HELP YOU.
Gram is a computer programmer who designed their own suit to be a computer, allowing her to fight crime across the Internet! DoSomething Member Saul Says: This campaign is important to me because I have always loved superheroes; yet, I have always found that not every group is represented within the world of superheroes. Though in more recent years that has been changing, a group I feel that has still not been shown as amazingly as it could be, is the Latin and Hispanic community. I am a gay, 17-year-old Mexican-American boy, and I understand how important representation is. I know what it is like to look at a book or watch a movie and realize that no one character looks like you or is like you. And I know that as we grow up, we can look into the fields of our dreams and see the same thing, no one like us. I grew up with three sisters, and now I have an amazing group of females who I can call my best friends at school as well. To me, women have always been my role models and true, real-life heroes. When creating Gram, I wanted her to have the energy of the women in my life, kind, yet powerful and ready to take any action. I would hope that if Gram was presented to students, they could see someone like themselves in her. Thank you for this opportunity.
GAIA THE COMPOSTING SUPERHERO
DoSomething Member Aubrey Says: To be able to represent a group of individuals, who even in this day and age receive prejudice, discrimination, and oppression, was heartbreaking but also empowering. I want young women to look at my drawing, to feel empowered and chase after their dreams and interests. Gaia, the superhero, is here to show everyone that one individual, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, and beliefs, can make a positive impact on the world. I am thankful to the people of DoSomething.org who get individuals like me involved in the movement to help make the world a better and brighter place.
DoSomething Member Abbey Says: As a girl who wants to pursue a STEM career, I feel especially close to the goal of this campaign. I love the use of an artistic but educational poster to get kids interested in STEM. Giving real STEM topics a fictional fun twist is a genius way to peak their interest. I also hope to give kids who wouldn’t usually see their identity in the mainstream a chance to look at a superhero poster and see an authentic reflection of themselves. My superhero is Wyona Windslinger. I chose to give my superhero a regular first name so kids who looked at this poster could visualize their own name as a superhero name. I wanted to use traits that were accessible and did not require skills but rather an attitude about the world.
Below: DoSomething Member, Madeline wanted to be a part of encouraging young students and helping them see that STEM-related classes are fun and that they can become anything they want to be when they grow up!
TERRARI GIRL UNSTOPPABLE AND DETERMINED, STRIVES TO HELP THE EARTH, BELIEVES HARD WORK WILL LEAD TO SUCCESS
Not only does she act as a major greenhouse gas preventer, she also flies around the world to help and inspire underprivileged children like she once was. Created by DoSomething Member, Yulia
DoSomething Member, D’Anthony says: This campaign is important to me because it’s a great way to educate others about a subject I’m passionate about, which is the global environment. My goal is to further development in fostering Eco-friendly technology that will be the replacement of the environmentally harmful tools that we use today. With my poster, I hope to inspire others to take initiative towards cleaner energy!
IS HERE TO SAVE THE DAY AND THE ENVIRONMENT! DoSomething Member, Jiaxin says: I want to use my art to help those who often feel left out in media to have someone they can relate to and possibly feel represented by. I believe that this campaign provides a great opportunity for that. I also have a passion for childhood education. When I used to work in a kindergarten classroom, I saw that the students especially loved science class and were always fascinated by what they were learning. When creating my superhero, I thought about those students a lot and what kind of character they will like and can be inspired by. I hope that through this campaign I can help young students gain a love for STEM.
Using both engineering and technology, DATA uses her cybernetic prosthetic arm to fight off cyber crimes and create cool gadgets and gizmos to help those in need of assistance. DoSomething Member, Eddwin says: This campaign deems of great importance because there is a huge barrier for women and people of disabilities in the STEM field. Creating a superhero like this, I feel like this would inspire more people of that category to take part in the STEM program to create better futures for amazing people with creative potential and problem solving.
THIS IS THE AMAZING
DR.BLAZE WHOSE POWERS WILL SAVE THE DAY!
DoSomething Member, Trinity says: This campaign is important to me because it is important to inspire younger generations about the importance of STEM. Whether you are a girl or boy, disabled, or anything else, you still can be involved in STEM. You can accomplish anything if you put your mind to it, and STEM is just another opportunity to do something amazing. That is what I learned at an early age, and now I am pursuing a career in STEM. I want others to experience the same clarity and are able to figure out what they want to do in their adult lives.
BRACER A SUPER RESCUE SPECIALIST!
Bracer is a genius electrical and mechanical engineer who created an exo-skeleton to reinforce her body and give her super-strength to rescue victims of natural disasters. DoSomething Member, Grace says: Advocating proper representation is something I’ve pursued all throughout my high school education, and now as I move on to college, I plan to advocate on a much larger and more personal scale, as I’ll be pursuing a career in mechanical engineering, a very male dominated field. As a member of the LGBT+ community and a woman, I’m not expecting an easy journey, but I’m expecting myself to encourage and hold up my sisters who are also pursuing male-dominated careers. Campaigns like this one can only help, and I’m glad to participate.
HAFA OF BAADAL WILL BRING LIFE TO THE EARTH (GENTLE RAIN OF THE CLOUDS)
DoSomething Member, Mia says: This campaign is important to me because it inspires the world. It inspires people to chase their dreams no matter who they are. Anything is possible as long as your heart is set on it and you never give up. Hafa is a great example of this. Besides Hafa’s superpowers, her greatest power is her mind. She is very knowledgeable in her field, but she is also very wise in her heart. Although everyone would like sunny days everyday, the world needs water to survive. “Rain will make the flowers grow.” Sometimes the bad must happen, so that good can come of it. That is what I want to express through this campaign. The mind is powerful, but together with the heart, a person is unstoppable... just like a superhero.
WINDMILL WENDY:
THE WORLD’S COOLEST NEW SUPERGIRL DoSomething Member, Kendall says: Growing up I lived in an environment where I was constantly told there were a plethora of things I couldn’t do because I was a girl. I was told a variety of things from “girls can’t handle the same level of intellect as a man” to “women can’t be trusted”. I grew up very self-conscious and developed many mental issues and complexes I’m still trying to work myself out of. It didn’t help that I didn’t dress traditionally feminine either. As time went on, the environment I grew up in changed, and so did I. I eventually learned that no one could tell me what I can or cannot do and that I didn’t need the approval of willfully ignorant people. It took years of learning and studying, but I am now the first person in my immediate family to attend a major four-year university. Things I had previously struggled in like mathematics and art are now a part of my life that I will blend into my future career. My hope is to one day start a toy business that will inspire consumers to live their lives for themselves.
A HERO FOR ALL AGES AND TYPES, BOTANY BOY IS HERE TO HELP! DoSomething Member, Corbyn says: As a young woman majoring in Biology who is also passionate about art, the idea behind this campaign strikes a chord deep inside me. I firmly believe in both getting underrepresented groups recognition in STEM fields and the power of showing young children in these groups that they too can find their place there. Merging creative fields together to use art as a vehicle for illustrating the possibilities in STEM fields for children is a beautiful way to make a difference- one that I am so proud to have the chance to participate in. As a woman trying to become a doctor, I have already faced difficulties, but I know with each new and diverse mind following their passion, the world is a better place. After all some of the greatest minds of the past century have been those to break the moldRosalind Franklin as a female scientist in the 40’s, Albert Einstein as a Jewish man in WWII, Alan Turning as a gay man in the 50’s, and Stephen Hawking as a disabled man from the 60’s onwards. I believe it is essential to recognize these figures and see that science has always been at its best when it was diverse. Campaigns such as this one are bringing power to that idea and enrich the minds of future generations by spreading it. It is important because in the end that will truly change lives and, therefore, the world.
Below: DoSomething Member, Skylar teaching STEM lesson to 7th graders.
PROFESSOR DISCOVERY MAKES HER FIRST APPEARANCE! DoSomething Member, Skylord says: It’s important to let underrepresented minorities know they can shine just as much as anyone else can. No matter what gender they are, no matter what their skin color is, no matter what their disability is, nothing should be able to stop you from achieving your goals in life. Anyone is perfectly capable of doing whatever they set their mind to. Though, even with that reassurance, sometimes minorities can feel left out when they don’t see themselves on the big screen, or accepting rewards. It’s crucial to let them see that they are as capable as anyone else is, and that people just like them are successful in their lives no matter what they look like. STEM, much like any other program, can be highly beneficial to every individual and it can lead to a lot of success down the road. The important thing to note is to not like anything hinder you. To not let society tell you that you cannot do something when you can put your mind to anything you want, no matter what odds are stacked against you! Power through, just like a superhero would!
IN-SCHOOL ACTIVATION
Using all of this incredible artwork, thousands of DoSomething members then shared the superheroes with elementary and middle school students to show them that they too can use STEM to change the world.
DoSomething Member, Afsana says: I love technology, this is why I want to be an Electronic engineer. STEM superheros inspire me to keep going. I really like the campaign, its inspiring everyone. When I presented this superheroes to the middle school student, they loved it. They had very interesting questions. Overall, I feel like our world would be a better place with heroes like STEM.
DoSomething Member, Rose says: As a gay transgender student I understand the importance of representation. I never saw anyone who looked like me, who felt like me, on TV. This is why creating a superhero with a non-traditional look was very important to me. Comic books are a highly accessible medium, they are fun and easy to read and this is why they are the perfect gateway to identities people may not be familiar with.
DoSomething Member, Sabreen: As a young Muslim woman I’ve been diagnosed with type one diabetes since I was six years old. I wanted to use my story and reflect it onto a fictional character to describe myself and show what’s important to me. My super hero suffers from common complications in type one diabetics and lost her leg. As a minority I used the super hero I created to reach students and encourage them to pursue careers in the STEM field and that anything’s possible.
“As time progressed, I watched more girls and people of color become the “scientist” cast member in shows or films, and earn more respect in their own right. This development made me feel safer about STEM, and made me want to continue that representational work in my own private creative outlets. However, on the broader scale, I think we still have a lot of work to do before our voices are heard in equal amounts.” —Maria, Winner of the STEM Superhero Art Contest