A new exhibit in Washington, D.C. features 120 3D-printed figures of trailblazing women in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math). This exhibit hopes to inspire young girls to seek a career in STEM.
The exhibit was the result of a partnership between the Smithsonian and IF/THEN, an initiative designed by Lyda Hill Philanthropies that’s meant to motivate young girls to consider careers in STEM fields.
In 2019, 19.1 million workers age 25 and older were employed in STEM jobs in the U.S., an increase of 1.8 million since 2016, according to Pew Research.
Women make up half of those employed in STEM jobs, slightly higher than women in the overall workforce, which is 47%.
Aerospace engineer Sydney Hamilton was overwhelmed by the honor of having a life-size statue made of her.
"I hope that it sends a message that if she can see it, then she can be it," Hamilton said, when asked what she hoped would come out of the exhibit. "I hope they see this and they see themselves in at least one of these statues,” Hamilton told CBS news.
The statues were displayed throughout different Smithsonian museums throughout the month of March.
"It is amazing to see that I can be the representation that I didn't have growing up. It's amazing to see that when there were a world that told me 'no,' that I could be here," Hamilton said.
