THE IDEA
There was once a girl who loved beauty.
She loved makeup, colors, bright dresses.
She loved singing and dancing, playing the piano, painting.
At school, they told her math was too hard.
That physics wasn’t for her.
That chemistry and science were “for boys.”
That a girl who loves lipstick and princess dresses isn’t made for formulas and equations.
But she didn’t give up anything.
She kept being herself — and she started solving equations too.
Over time, as she studied STEM subjects, she began to understand something important:
Science doesn’t take away from your inner beauty.
It transforms it.
It turns it into a spark — one that gives you tools, vision, and direction to pursue your dreams and help the people around you.
That is how STEMinGlitter was born.
“Glitter” is not a costume.
It is not decoration.
It is the spark that lights up when a girl realizes she can be fully herself and still love science.
It is inner beauty finding structure, strength, and purpose through knowledge.
Choosing STEM does not mean giving something up.
It means amplifying who you already are.
Choosing STEM is not just choosing a career.
It is choosing to build your dreams — and to improve the lives of others, and the Planet.
And that spark is the real glitter.
The Founder
Carmen Panepinto Zayati is a PhD student in Biorobotics at the BioRobotics Institute of Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, where she works in the Regenerative Technologies Laboratory. Her research focuses on understanding the mechanical properties of mesenchymal stem cells using atomic force microscopy, contributing to the development of future regenerative technologies. She graduated with highest honors (110 cum laude) in Bionics Engineering, ranking first in a highly selective international Master’s program that combines robotics, biomechanics, neuroscience, and regenerative medicine.
Beyond the lab, Carmen is a science communicator and a strong advocate for STEM education. She is committed to making science accessible and inspiring, especially for girls who are often told that scientific careers are not for them. She was invited to the Italian Parliament to promote Law 187/2023, establishing the National Week of STEM disciplines, supporting a national effort to strengthen scientific culture and encourage greater participation of girls and women in STEM. Through public talks, educational projects, and digital platforms, she works to show that science and identity do not have to be in conflict.
Carmen is also the founder of STEM4Schools, an initiative that introduces young students to scientific thinking and biorobotics through practical, hands-on experiences. Through this project, she has brought STEM education directly into Italian schools, from the North to the South of the country, engaging students across diverse communities. She believes that science should serve people and the planet, and that choosing STEM is not just about a career — it is about building skills, confidence, and the ability to create meaningful impact in the world.
In 2023, she was crowned Miss Universe Italy and represented Italy at the Miss Universe competition in El Salvador. Through this experience, she connected with talented women from around the world, strengthening her commitment to global female leadership, education, and positive change.
Scan the QR code and connect with Carmen
