Crosspost: 120 3D-Printed Statues of Women Redefine What Scientists Look Like

Written by Jack Tamisiea for Smithsonian Magazine

For Women's History Month, the Smithsonian teamed up with Light Hill Partners to create the "#IfThenSheCan" exhibit, a series of 120 orange statues featuring prominent women in STEM. Credit: WTOP News.

Some of the brightest minds in science and technology are visiting the Smithsonian this month. But instead of a one-night lecture circuit, these scientists, who do everything from design rockets to create shark sanctuaries, will be stationed around the National Mall in the form of life-sized, 3D-printed sculptures.

Featuring 120 bright orange statues of contemporary female scientists, “#IfThenSheCan – The Exhibit” is the largest collection of statues of women ever assembled at a single location at one time. To celebrate the Smithsonian’s Women’s Futures Month, the statues will be displayed in the Smithsonian Gardens and in several Smithsonian museums between March 5 and 27.

The exhibit is part of Lyda Hill Philanthropies’ IF/THEN initiative that aims to inspire middle school age girls to pursue STEM careers. The statues portray researchers from all facets of science, technology and engineering. For the advancement of their fields, these women crawl into bear dens in Alaska, excavate artifacts from swamps and scour the desert for cryptic lizards.

Read the rest of the article at: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/blogs/national-museum-of-natural-history/2022/03/08/120-3d-printed-statues-of-women-redefine-what-scientists-look-like/ 

And if you're on the East Coast, be sure to check out the exhibit outside of the Smithsonian Castle at the National Mall!