This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American
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Once upon a time, you could go into a classroom - any grade level, any age, anywhere in the US - and ask children to describe what a scientist looks like. Almost invariably, most children would present an illustration of an older white male, with white hair, a mustache and/or beard wearing a lab coat and holding a steaming flask. Where were the women, or young people or persons of color? What about scientists who didn't wear lab coats or hold fuming flasks?
Well, thanks to a great push of outreach to women, girls, and to young people from every walk of life, that is all changing! And thanks to a new meme & Tumblr, This is What A Scientist Looks Like, you too can see the diversity is individuals, personalities, and science backgrounds of everyday people who happen to be all excited about science!
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So how about joining the community? Together we can help create a beautiful mosaic of diversity of STEM like the pictures of my friends from science conferences.