At Vivify, we believe every student deserves the chance to see themselves as a scientist, engineer, or innovator. But far too often, the images and messages students receive about STEM send the opposite signal. Whether it’s a Google search or a superhero movie, the stereotype of who “belongs” in STEM is still far too narrow, influencing students' perceptions from an early age.

In this post, we explore why representation matters, the critical role early exposure plays in shaping students' educational trajectories, and actionable steps educators and communities can take to make STEM pathways accessible to all students.