The STEM Demystified Digital Portal is now live, a new home for real STEM stories made for teachers, educators, and curious young learners. Built to make STEM feel closer, friendlier, and genuinely possible, the portal brings together global role‑model stories, interactive exploration, and classroom‑ready inspiration. It’s a growing resource designed to help children see themselves in STEM, and to give educators an easy way to bring real‑world representation into lessons. Explore the portal at stemdemystified.com.
Welcome to another edition of STEM Demystified, a project to tackle the under-representation of women in STEM. This weekly Newsletter showcases how women are conquering science, technology, engineering, and mathematics worldwide.
Today, Sanskriti Sahu as our STEM role model. Born in India, Sanskriti grew up in a community where women’s education was often overlooked. Yet, her curiosity and drive to learn, coupled with the unconditional support of her family, set her on a path of academic excellence.
A pivotal moment came when Sanskriti attended a career fair at school and discovered her passion for technology. That spark ignited her ambition to shape the future through innovation. Today, she is pursuing a Bachelor of Technology in Computer Science, specialising in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, at the Lakshmi Narain College of Technology and Science.
Sanskriti’s career journey is just starting, but she has already pushed many boundaries. Let’s now get to know her in detail and find out what types of challenges she has already overcome and her opinion on what we can do to attract younger girls into STEM careers.
What was your trajectory from school to where you currently are professionally/academically?
My educational journey started in a small city, Itarsi, India. I come from a community where people believe that women should not pursue higher education, spending money on women’s education is considered a waste. However, my father did not subscribe to this mentality. He taught me that “education is the only way to empower oneself and fight for our own rights.” I have always been an enthusiastic learner since childhood, and my father supported me in reaching this point.
Let’s backtrack a bit to when I was in primary school. I was just an average student in my class, but I always aspired to rank at the top. So, I worked hard and started to focus on my studies, and the result I’ve achieved was consistently getting rank from the 7th standard (middle school) until now. In my college I come under the top 30 students in my field. However, is it possible to always achieve top ranks and never fail? Of course not. I worked tirelessly for a year to clear my university entrance exams, but I failed to get into the university I wanted. This setback led to extreme depression, with sleepless nights spent crying into my pillow. But did it stop me? No, it shaped me into the person I am today.
I took admission in a good university and started working hard to achieve my goals. Overcoming these obstacles gave me a deeper understanding of my own strength and a clearer vision for my future.
What motivated you to get into STEM? Did you have a female role model or anyone who inspired you? If so, who?
In my school, there was a tech fair organized, and it was there where I first encountered some working technologies. After that I became so enthusiastic about understanding how these technologies worked, and this curiosity ultimately led me to pursue STEM. Exploring new technologies has always been my greatest fascination, and my passion for learning new skills is continuously growing.
My mother is my role model; she has always inspired me to strive for my goals. She was an enthusiastic student who also pursued STEM studies. Unfortunately, she couldn’t continue her higher education after marrying my father because of family pressure. Despite this, my father supported her in pursuing further studies. 10 years into their marriage, when my elder sister was nine and I was six, my mother decided to take her high education. Starting to study again after such a long gap was not easy, and she worked incredibly hard.
The struggle was not just personal; it was also societal. People often questioned her decision, asking why she was studying instead of focusing on her children and household chores. They even ridiculed my father for assisting his wife with household chores while being a “masculine”. Despite facing such criticism, my parents did not waver. I witnessed first-hand how my mother managed to juggle household responsibilities and studies while caring for two young children.
Eventually, my mother completed her master’s. I am immensely proud of her, and she continues to be my inspiration to remain determined in my career pursuits and to achieve my goals. I am grateful to be her child.
What’s your most important professional/academic achievement?
My proudest moment in my journey so far has been reaching the final round of the Google STEP Internship interview. Even though I didn’t make it through, it was an incredible experience packed with some lessons. Firstly, it gave me a big boost of confidence! I realized that I have what it takes to be a software developer, and now I have a clear path for my future career. Secondly, I learned not to put too much pressure on myself. It’s okay to hope for the best, but it’s also important to be okay with whatever happens. Lastly, failing in that final round taught me something really important: failure isn’t the end of the road; it’s a chance to learn and grow. It made me feel like I can take on anything!
And have you heard about the Google Girls Hackathon? I was lucky enough to be one of the participants! Working alongside other smart and talented girls was amazing. I learned so much about teamwork, and it was inspiring to see how we all supported each other. It made me realize just how powerful girls can be in tech!
So, to all the girls out there, remember: don’t be afraid to aim high, learn from your mistakes, and surround yourself with supportive people. You’ve got this!
Did you face any challenge throughout your professional/academic journey? How did you overcome it?
My professional and academic journey has been filled with challenges, but each one has helped me grow stronger. Coming from a small city where there were no universities, my family and I made the difficult decision to move to Bhopal so I could pursue higher education. It wasn’t easy starting afresh in a new city, but we faced it together, supported by the belief in the importance of education, even when others questioned why we were making such a big move just for me.
When I got to college, I felt a bit out of place. Everyone seemed to know so much already, especially about technology. I felt shy and insecure, especially when I tried out for clubs and my communication skills didn’t seem as good as everyone else’s. But instead of giving up, I decided to face my fears head-on.
I started going to more club interviews, even though it was scary. And you know what? Each time I went, I learned something new about myself. I realized that it’s okay not to know everything right away. It’s okay to be a beginner. So, I kept pushing myself to learn and grow, even when it felt uncomfortable.
I live by one Mantra: “Do the thing that scares you the most.” And you know what? It’s led me to some amazing opportunities of my life. I’ve learned so much about technology, about myself, and about what I’m capable of. Every challenge I’ve faced has only made me stronger.
In your opinion, what needs to be done to attract more women into STEM?
1 – Offer hands-on experiences: Organize coding workshops, robotics clubs, and science fairs to demystify STEM subjects and demonstrate real-world applications.
2 – Build supportive communities: Establish after-school clubs, online forums, and mentorship programs where girls can explore their passions and receive guidance from peers and mentors.
Additionally, have you ever thought why boys are attracted to STEM? Maybe because they play video games or have toys like robots, while girls get dolls and stuff? It’s like we’re trained from day one to think certain things are for boys and others are for girls. But guess what? It doesn’t have to be that way!
Imagine if we all got to play with whatever we wanted growing up, no matter if it’s “for boys” or “for girls.” That’s how we break those stereotypes!
So, let’s shake things up, challenge those old ideas, and make STEM a place where everyone feels welcome and excited to explore!
What advice would you give to anyone looking into a career in STEM (or those who do not consider it)?
For those considering a career in STEM, my advice is to begin by asking themselves three fundamental questions: What do you want to do in your life? Why do you want it? And how will you achieve it? These questions might seem big and scary, but trust me, figuring them out will give you a solid game plan for your third question. You can seek guidance from seniors, mentors, and online resources for the practical steps needed to pursue a career in STEM.
But what if you’re not sure about the first two questions, don’t worry! That’s totally normal. Take some time during your summer or winter breaks to explore different fields. Try out coding camps, science clubs, or even just binge-watch some documentaries. You’ll be surprised at what might spark your interest!
And here’s the thing: before you commit to anything, think about how much effort you’re willing to put in and what you hope to get out of it. It’s like a math equation—input vs. output. Understanding what you’re getting into can help you make smarter decisions about your future.
So, whether you’re set on STEM or still figuring things out, just remember to keep exploring, stay curious, and don’t be afraid to dream big!
Despite the young age, Sanskriti has already defied expectations, broken through barriers and blazed her own trail. Sanskriti’s journey showed us the importance of having support from our families as it provides us the strength and encouragement needed to challenge societal norms and pave our own unique path. She also showed us we should not be afraid to fail. Learning from failures improves our resilience. Failures are part of success and often provide information that get us closer to our goals. Sanskriti’s determination and courage are inspiring.
Sanskriti, your journey has just begun, but your light already shines brightly. Keep pushing boundaries and inspiring us all.
To wrap up I would like to emphasise how education is an important and powerful tool for breaking down barriers, fostering inclusivity, and promoting a more equitable and understanding society. Empowering women and investing in their education can certainly contribute to a more equitable and innovative world.
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