Dr. Maggie Aderin-Pocock, a renowned space scientist and presenter of BBC One’s The Sky at Night and CBeebies Stargazing, is being honoured with a Barbie Role Model doll in advance of International Women’s Day on March 8 and British Science Week, which runs from 10-19 March. In reference to her work with the James Webb telescope, the doll comes with a telescope accessory and a night sky-inspired dress covered in stars.
As a young girl, Dr. Aderin-Pocock “fell in love with the concept of space flight” and has spent her career “attempting to show girls how intriguing space science can be.” She stated that she wished to encourage the future generation of scientists, particularly young women, and inform them that STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) is for them.
Dr. Aderin-Pocock became the new chancellor of the University of Leicester earlier this month and said it was an honour to receive the doll commemorating her accomplishments. On the occasion of International Women’s Day, Mattel, the toy manufacturer responsible for creating dolls in honour of celebrities, is also honouring six additional STEM workers worldwide.
Kelly Philp, marketing director at Mattel UK, stated, “We are aware that women are underrepresented in STEM fields globally, so Barbie is committed to showcasing more STEM vocations to girls.” According to research, women make up only 26% of the STEM workforce in the United Kingdom; consequently, it is essential to highlight inspiring role models such as Dr. Maggie.
Additional Barbie Role Models include Sarah Gilbert, the developer of the Covid-19 vaccine, Clara Amfo, Dina Asher-Smith, Sky Brown, an adolescent skateboarder, and Nicola Adams, a boxer.
Dr. Maggie Aderin-Pocock, a space scientist and presenter on BBC One’s The Sky at Night and Cbeebies Stargazing, was honoured with a Barbie Role Model doll in advance of International Women’s Day and British Science Week, which will take place from March 10 to 19. The doll comes with a telescope accessory and a garment adorned with stars, evoking the night sky, in reference to her work with the James Webb telescope.
As a young girl, Dr. Aderin-Pocock “fell in love with the concept of space flight” and has spent her career “attempting to show girls how intriguing space science can be.” She stated that she wished to encourage the next generation of scientists, particularly young women, to pursue careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). She became the new chancellor of the University of Leicester earlier this month and said it was an honour to receive the doll commemorating her accomplishments.
Toy designer Mattel honours six other STEM workers on International Women’s Day, including the developer of the Covid-19 vaccine, Professor Sarah Gilbert, broadcaster Clara Amfo, sprinter Dina Asher-Smith, teenage skateboarder Sky Brown, and boxer Nicola Adams. This is in reaction to statistics indicating that only 26% of STEM workers in the UK are female. Mattel UK’s head of marketing Kelly Philp stated, “Barbie is committed to exposing girls to more STEM fields.”
Dr. Maggie Aderin-Pocock will receive a Barbie Role Model doll in recognition of her efforts to encourage girls to pursue professions in science. Dr. Aderin-Pocock stated that she wished to encourage the next generation of scientists, particularly girls, to pursue STEM careers. On the occasion of International Women’s Day, Mattel is also honouring six other STEM professionals globally in response to research indicating that women make up only 26% of the STEM workforce in the United Kingdom.
Dr. Maggie Aderin-Pocock was honoured to receive the doll commemorating her accomplishments and hoped that it would serve as a reminder to young women that anything is possible if they aspire for the stars. Kelly Philp of Mattel stated that the company is committed to exposing more girls to STEM careers, as it is essential to promote inspiring role models like Dr. Maggie. This precedes International Women’s Day on March 8 and British Science Week, which runs from March 10-19.
