The Plenary, Co. and Society for Science launch new STEM educational resources to inspire the next generation of scientists

The Plenary, Co., in partnership with Society for Science, launched a new educational resource package for its I Am A Scientist initiative featuring International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) alumni.

This multimedia collection includes interactive digital stories, classroom posters and teaching guides that showcase pathways and possibilities in STEM careers. The collection debuts on February 11, 2025, coinciding with the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, highlighting the crucial role of representation in inspiring the next generation of scientists.

The collection, which can be viewed in full here, features four ISEF alumni:

• Bayan Mashat (ISEF 2011), game developer
• Jessica Brillhart (ISEF 2001), immersive designer
• Leah Guthrie (ISEF 2006-2008), gut microbiologist
• Tatheer Adnan (ISEF 2016), applied data scientist

Launched in 2020, I Am A Scientist was developed through extensive research and educator collaboration  to challenge stereotypes and reimagine how students engage with STEM careers. By bringing real stories into classrooms nationwide, the initiative now reaches more than 1 million students annually, showing the diverse faces and pathways of modern science.

The free collection includes:

• Interactive digital portals featuring scientists’ personal stories and career paths
• Downloadable classroom posters highlighting scientists’ unique interests and pursuits
• Comprehensive teaching resources for educators
• Profiles of diverse STEM professionals who combine science with interests like ballroom dancing, gardening, linguistics and running

This initiative builds on Society for Science’s long legacy of championing science education and The Plenary, Co.’s mission to democratize knowledge and imagination. Drawing from Society for Science’s prestigious ISEF, which brings together students from over 60 countries annually, the collection highlights the intersection of creativity and personal interests with scientific careers—challenging traditional stereotypes about who can be a scientist.