Founder outlines Science of Beauty program that teaches STEM through skincare

Sakia Donaldson, founder of the Science of Beauty STEM program, described a hands-on workshop that teaches girls science concepts through beauty practices, including a body-scrub experiment that demonstrates skin layers and exfoliation.

Donaldson told listeners the program "reimagines how STEM is introduced to young women focusing on things that they already love, like beauty." She said the session used a body-scrub activity to teach about the body's largest organ and practical topics such as skin renewal and exfoliation.

An unnamed participant described the personal impact: "It makes me feel better about myself. It makes me feel like I opened a new chapter in my life, and it makes me know that I don't have to spend a lot of money on these big branded skincares, and I could just make my own at home." Another commenter noted that many participants are entrepreneurs or have skills in lash work, hairstyling or makeup and that the program includes an entrepreneurial curriculum to teach what it takes to start a business.

Donaldson said the program deliberately uses subjects that already interest participants so they become engaged and more likely to continue studying STEM: "Once a child is engaged in something and excited about it, they're more likely to stick with it," she said. She added that the intent is to avoid "dragging" girls into topics that do not interest them and instead offer a relatable entry point to science.

The presentation focused on program approach and participant impact; no formal votes or policy actions were recorded during the session.