EMSB Marymount Academy International Team A (2025)

Building Blocks of Inequality: The Impact of Early Play on Women’s Paths to STEM

 The EMSB-Marymount Academy International TEAM A was awarded the VOOC 2025 First Prize of $2,500. Additionally, the team received three jury mentions for Best Oral Presentation, Most Innovative Project, and Best Project Promoting STEM Education Among Young Children.

Under the supervision of their teacher Ms. Thomakos, and their mentor Ms. Mengqi Li, the team composed Shaya Catarina Fadel, Drisana Ravichandran, Ophélia Bernier, Bokyung Chung, and Saïa Wallis investigated how children's toys can shape their interest in choosing a career in STEM.

Current evidence suggests that traditional gendered toys, such as dolls, do not foster the development of problem-solving and reasoning skills, as do Lego blocks, and coding kits. The team proposes sheSTEMS Toys, a company created by girls, for girls, with the mission of empowering the next generation of girls to embrace STEM at an early age, starting with the toys they play with.

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