As the keynote speaker for Illinois State University’s 2023 Science and Technology Week, held on March 28, Emily Calandrelli, also known as “the space gal,” captivated attendees at the Bone Student Center’s Brown Ballroom. Calandrelli serves as the host and co-executive producer of the Netflix series, Emily’s Wonder Lab, and is a notable advocate for women and diversity in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).

The Importance of Diversity in STEM

Calandrelli emphasized that innovation is fundamentally linked to diverse perspectives. She advocated for increased visibility of underrepresented groups in STEM to inspire a new generation of scholars and professionals. “People want to go where they’re celebrated, not where they’re tolerated,” she stated.

Real-World Implications of Inequity

During her address, Calandrelli provided several compelling examples of inefficiencies stemming from a lack of diversity:

• Office temperatures are often designed based on the average metabolic resting rate of men, leading to discomfort for many women.
• Men’s restrooms typically feature more facilities than women’s, resulting in long wait times for women due to differences in design considerations.
• In the medical field, clinical trials often exclude women, leading to higher rates of adverse drug effects among them.

She further noted that the absence of female crash test dummies until 2011 led to insufficient safety measures for women.

A Personal Journey into STEM

Calandrelli shared her personal story, noting that she was the first in her family to pursue a degree in STEM. Initially, her choice was a pragmatic response to her family’s financial challenges, but she discovered a passion for science that she never anticipated. “I was surprised that I fell in love with science. I became obsessed with it,” she recalled.

The Future of Space Exploration

With excitement, Calandrelli highlighted recent developments in space exploration, noting that space tourism is beginning to diversify the profiles of astronauts. She mentioned that recent missions included the first Mexican-born woman and the second Indian-born woman in space, among others.

She expressed her emotional reaction to NASA’s Artemis 1 launch, which marks a crucial step toward sending the first woman to the moon. “She’s going to be able to see a woman step foot on the moon,” she said, reflecting on the significance of representation for the next generation.

A Call to Action

Calandrelli concluded her speech by addressing the gender gap in STEM fields, where women constitute 57% of the workforce but hold only 29% of STEM positions. “While we have made great strides, we still have a long way to go,” she stated.

She urged the audience not to fear failure or the timing of their accomplishments, sharing her own late discovery of her passion. “If it takes a little longer, it’s OK. I still ended up at MIT,” she affirmed.

Empowerment through Collaboration

Wrapping up her address, Calandrelli fostered a sense of community, encouraging collaboration to tackle challenges. “You will find the power of your own voice and you will find the power of working together,” she advised. “A lot of these problems are easier solved when you work together with friends to solve them.”