• 👩‍🚀✨ When my 8-year-old niece Marla asked me, “Can girls be astronauts?” — I knew the answer had to be bigger than just “yes.” br br 👩‍🔬If that’s truly what she wants — right alongside piano, swimming, and dance — she’ll need more than talent and ambition. She’ll need encouragement to explore the building blocks of science, technology, engineering and math – we can also add economics in there as well. br br 🌍And here’s the reality: in Canada, women are still underrepresented in STEM, and Black women even more so. At the same time, Ontario is facing a serious labour shortage over the next 20 years, especially in highly skilled fields. br br ✨The opportunities are there. br ✨The demand is there. br The time is now for parents, teachers, and mentors to take focused action. br br . 🚀 “Our girls need role models, resources, and real opportunities to experiment and see themselves as scientists, engineers, innovators, and economists. They should be asking ‘How can I become an astronaut, and what do I need to do?’ — not questioning whether it’s possible.” br ✨ Ready to spark your daughter’s curiosity in STEM? ✨ br br 👩‍🔬🚀Ages 8–11 are the perfect years to plant seeds before high school. br br 👉 Use this checklist as a guide to keep you on track br br 🚀 “With the right role models and resources, our girls can see themselves as scientists, engineers, innovators.