146 backers, 20+ states, 2 countries, $5,396 raised.
this vision was funded by everyday people like you via kickstarter.
“To encourage agency and foster girls' confidence to take on challenging things…even STEM”
When Nadia learns of a new fishing hole just outside her neighborhood, she asks her Uncle to allow her to take on the exciting challenge. Little does she know she’ll have to overcome scary obstacles to get there and she begins to doubt if she can make it. Facing the decision to turn around or embark on a new adventure, will Nadia take the risk to learn about an ecosystem of fish beyond her wildest dreams or turnaround?
Nadia, is a sharp 9-year old from Detroit, MI who loves fish. Her journey is a story showing the little things we can do everyday to change the way young girls think about their ability to take on challenges and embrace risk. My hope is for parents to utilize this book as an at-home resource to encourage young girls to take on new tasks, even tough things like STEM!
Key Features of the Book
Large, Vivid Pictures
When I couldn’t read yet and my mom was tired of re-reading my favorite story she would encourage me to tell her a story from the pictures. It fostered my creativity and also gave me the permission to tell my own story.
The Font
I purposely chose child handwriting font to inspire children to write their own stories in their own words. Wanna take it further? Encourage children to write their own review of the book and send pictures to themirrorprojectllc@gmail.com.
The Coloring Book
What’s STEM without art? I created a coloring book from the illustration sketches and added multicultural crayons to give children the option to imagine themselves as Nadia! Send in your child’s art for a feature on our instagram!
“encouraging parents to allow young girls to take on risks in the same we allow boys to.”
The Author
It’s based on my journey to becoming a chemical engineer and symbolizes the fear and doubts I had taking on this new challenge of going to this great place called college, haha. However, instead of literally writing a story of my step by step journey to becoming an engineer, I wrote a story that symbolizes the lessons and obstacles I overcame without focusing too much on having to be an engineer.
I love STEM but I’ve also seen parents, with good intention, place a lot of pressure on their children to choose ‘lucrative’ or ‘smart STEM’ careers as a way to put them on the ‘right path’. I didn’t want the book to be used like that. I want the book to provide youth with agency, encourage them to take risks and enable them to find their interests first and early.
…and I could be bias but there’s so many careers connected to STEM, I’m sure many will end up here :)
“What will you encourage them to do?”
Nadia's journey takes risk, confidence and above all permission to explore. I hope Nadia's journey not only gives young girls confidence to take on big, and even scary, challenges but also encourages parents to allow them to do so!