Science begins before the laboratory

Science begins before the laboratory | Photo: Jonathan Bean

By Gabriela Casuso

Every February 11, the International Day of Women and Girls in Science reminds us that building a more equitable scientific world starts in childhood. While girls and boys show similar performance and interest in science and math in early years, the gender gap widens as education progresses, and girls remain underrepresented in STEM careers (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). Globally, women account for only about 35% of STEM graduates and less than a third of the world’s researchers. 

This persistent gap limits the diversity of perspectives shaping the innovations and solutions our world desperately needs.

These barriers rarely begin in universities or laboratories. They start much earlier: in classrooms, homes, and everyday messages about who belongs in science. When girls grow up without visible role models or opportunities to explore scientific curiosity, many gradually step away from fields they once enjoyed. 

That is why moments that validate curiosity at a young age can be transformative. In Spain, a student turned her fascination with sharks into action by organizing a shark talk for her classmates, inviting a marine biology professional to speak at her school. What began as curiosity became an opportunity for learning, leadership, and inspiration. Experiences like this, where girls are encouraged to explore science and bring it into their communities, play a crucial role in shaping long-term scientific aspirations.

Science in the 21st century is global, and increasingly, so is science education. Through digital platforms and international learning spaces such as Proyecto Acuática, girls from different countries can connect, learn together, and share their enthusiasm for science.

Another girl from Ecuador, found in these virtual spaces a pathway to deepen her interest in marine science and sharks as well, participate in training, and contribute to educational content for social media. 

Technology has made it possible for girls separated by geography to meet, collaborate, and inspire each other in ways that were unimaginable just a decade ago.

Despite progress, global and regional data show that the challenges remain significant. Across Latin America and the Caribbean, girls are still less likely than boys to envision themselves in STEM careers, even when their academic performance is comparable. In Colombia, for instance, women represent roughly one quarter of professionals in science and technology, highlighting the ongoing need to close the gender gap. These disparities do not reflect differences in talent, but differences in exposure, encouragement, and opportunity.

One of the most powerful ways to change this reality is through visibility. For decades, the narrative suggested that there were few women in science because they were not interested or capable. Today we understand that the story was incomplete: women and girls were often invisible. Role models do not need decades of experience to make an impact. In fact, young and relatable role models can be the most transformative, because they make science feel accessible and real. When girls see peers organizing talks, learning online, or sharing scientific knowledge on social media, the distance between “science” and “me” becomes smaller.

Investing in girls in STEM is not symbolic, it is strategic. The world faces complex environmental, technological, and social challenges that demand diverse perspectives and collective intelligence. Expanding opportunities for girls to explore science strengthens not only individual futures, but the future of science itself.

This International Day of Women and Girls in Science is a reminder that science begins long before the laboratory. It begins with curiosity, with access to learning, and with communities willing to listen. 

Every girl encouraged to ask questions today becomes another voice capable of shaping a more sustainable, inclusive, and innovative tomorrow.