The Future of Science is Female. Zara Stone
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Praise for The Future of Science Is Female
“As Geena Davis says, ‘If she can see it, she can be it.’ By focusing on women working to change the current world, Zara Stone has created an important book. The Future of Science Is Female will serve as inspiration—not only to young girls needing role models in science and technology, but to anyone who refuses to let society dictate what they ‘should’ be doing. I thoroughly enjoyed reading and learning about the stories of these diverse ladies who will help to create our future.”
—Alicia Malone, author of Backwards and in Heels and The Female Gaze
“If we want to encourage more girls to enter into science careers, we need to show females that this field was made for them to conquer. Zara Stone’s engaging narrative does just that by introducing readers to brilliant but relatable female role models who are using science to positively change our world.”
—Colleen Russo Johnson, PhD and chief scientist for Dream Studios Inc.
“The Future of Science Is Female shows us that the future is happening now! Zara Stone will make you want to grab your lab coat and join the women making scientific her-story!”
—Kellie Gerardi, author of Not Necessarily Rocket Science
The Future of Science
Is Female
The Brilliant Minds Shaping the 21st Century
Zara Stone
Coral Gables
Copyright © 2020 Zara Stone
Published by Mango Publishing, a division of Mango Media Inc.
Cover Art and Interior Layout Design: Jermaine Lau
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The Future of Science Is Female: The Brilliant Minds Shaping the 21st Century
ISBN: (p) 978-1-64250-319-7 (e) 978-1-64250-320-3
BISAC: YAN006140, YOUNG ADULT NONFICTION / Biography & Autobiography / Women
LCCN: Has been requested with the Library of Congress Cataloging
Printed in the United States of America
Please note some names have been changed to protect the privacy of individuals.
Table of Contents
Making a Difference Also Makes Her Feel Good: Great Nails, Great Minds
Chapter 2
The Food of the Future
Chapter 3
Wanna Pizza Me? Your Robot Future
Chapter 4
The Climate Queens
Chapter 5
Reprogramming Prison
Chapter 6
The Women Who Inspired Us
Chapter 7
The Future Is Now
Final Thoughts
P.S.
Thanks!
Bibliography
About the Author
Throughout history, badass women have created world-changing advances in science and technology, and right now they’re finally getting the recognition they deserve. #preach
In San Francisco, scientist Etosha Cave developed a machine that sucks carbon dioxide out of the air and turns it into useful plastics and fuel when she was twenty-nine. In Burlington, Canada, seventeen-year-old Riya Karumanchi built the SmartCane, which uses computer vision, haptics, and GPS technology to steer visually impaired people around obstacles. The SmartCane’s vibrations also provide directions. In Connecticut, twenty-nine-year-old Ashley Kalinauskas’s company, Torigen, creates and sells a working cancer vaccine for dogs. Thanks to Ashley’s dedication, hundreds of puppies’ lives have been saved. The list of amazing women in the world right now goes on and on. These scientists and technologists are Black, queer, Asian, disabled, Latina, and white.
We need more of them.
Today, fewer than 4 percent of Latinas and 3 percent of Black women get doctoral degrees in science and engineering. Women make up 20 percent of all undergraduate degrees in engineering, physics, and computer science, but only 11 percent end up working in STEM.
Implicit bias, sexism, and a culture that recommends Bratz dolls to girls and Lego kits to boys play a part in this. Then there are the history books full of white men, which suggest that women aren’t as important or as clever as dudes are. The news is full of stories about cool tech and science startups and tends to focus on the Evan Spiegels, Elon Musks, and Mark Zuckerbergs of the world. When they mention female CEOs, they tend to have fashion- or beauty-related businesses.
We need to know about the Etoshas and Riyas and Ashleys of the world.
The more you hear about people who look and sound like you and are doing great things, the easier it is to realize that you can do that too. I wrote this book so girls and gender-nonconforming and nonbinary people everywhere can learn about people who dealt with similar problems and how they refused to let that rule them.
Why This Matters
In 2007, I interned at a British men’s magazine that covered celebrities, fast cars, and the latest gadgets. It was a competitive internship, and I was excited to work there. I really wanted to make it in journalism; the idea of telling people’s stories and learning about the world seemed like the best job ever. I was one of two girls in the office.
I did everything that people told me would make me a success: arriving an hour early and leaving late and saying yes to everything they asked me to do, from photocopying to typing up notes. I loved the energy of the place. Early on, I signed for a delivery of products from a big electronics brand. There were so many that the editor, a fifty-something white