When you picture a scientist on television, who do you see? Too often, the answer is a man in a white lab coat, hunched over a microscope, or a stereotypical “mad genius” bent on world domination. That narrow framing has consequences. Representation doesn’t just shape stories; it shapes who believes they belong in those stories. And when young girls rarely see themselves in the STEM field as scientists, coders, engineers, or innovators, they are less likely to imagine themselves becoming one.
The Emmy-nominated CBS series Mission Unstoppable is working to change that narrative. Hosted by Miranda Cosgrove and produced by Geena Davis, the show celebrates female scientists, engineers, codebreakers, astronauts, and innovators solving real-world problems in ways that feel relevant and exciting. It’s an invitation. And with countless viewers each season, the show is demonstrating that representation in media is not simply a “nice to have.” It’s a catalyst for cultural change.
The STEM Representation Gap
Despite significant progress, women and girls remain dramatically underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and math. According to the American Association of University Women, women make up less than 30% of the STEM workforce. They hold only about 16% of engineering jobs and 27% of roles in computer and mathematical sciences. This underrepresentation starts early and deepens over time.
Data from the National Girls Collaborative Project shows that while girls and boys perform similarly in STEM subjects throughout their school years, far fewer girls pursue STEM degrees in college. And the ones who often leave the field mid-career. The reasons range from lack of mentorship to workplace bias, but one factor continues to stand out: representation.
The so-called “Scully Effect” illustrates this clearly. When The X-Files introduced Dana Scully as an intelligent, respected FBI agent and scientist, research showed that female viewers were significantly more likely to pursue STEM careers. Nearly two-thirds of women who watched the show said Scully’s character increased their confidence that they could excel in STEM.
That is the power of visibility. And it’s the same power Mission Unstoppable is harnessing.
How STEM Storytelling Can Change Futures
Nicole Small, executive producer of Mission Unstoppable and CEO of Lyda Hill Philanthropies, has spent years thinking about how representation shapes opportunity. “As Geena Davis says, if you can see it, you can be it,” she explained. “Kids are flooded with imagery. They see it at school, in museums, on TikTok, and on their screens. We know it’s wildly important that they see people who look like them doing things they might be interested in. That’s why we created the If/Then Initiative. We wanted to show kids, especially girls, that there are incredible opportunities in STEM, and that they are for them.”
Before Mission Unstoppable, many depictions of STEM professionals on television were outdated, unrealistic, or even villainous. “We weren’t seeing a lot of STEM careers on TV,” Small said. “And when we did, it was often the evil genius trying to blow up the world. Most kids aren’t going to do that. Most of them are interested in solving real problems, but they don’t see a way to do that. They didn’t know there was a job that could help a family member with cancer. Or that someone could love sports and become an orthopedic surgeon for a soccer team.”
The show’s mission is to change those perceptions by presenting a wide range of possibilities. A girl who loves animals might see herself as a zoologist. One who loves math might become a data scientist. A marine biologist might inspire a student passionate about climate. Each segment is a spark that can ignite a sense of belonging.
STEM Representation on Screen and Why It Matters
The portrayal of women in STEM on television has been historically sparse. According to a Geena Davis Institute study, only 38% of STEM characters on screen from 2007 to 2022 were women. When they did appear, they were often side characters rather than leads, or their stories were secondary to their male counterparts.
This matters. Research shows that media representation affects everything from self-esteem to career aspirations. Girls who regularly see women in STEM roles are more likely to express interest in those fields themselves. They’re also more likely to persist when faced with obstacles. “There are so many challenges in the world today,” Small said. “Most of them will be solved by science. And we need everybody sitting at the table with their big brains, solving the world’s hardest problems.”
That’s why Mission Unstoppable leans into diverse storytelling. It doesn’t just show scientists in labs. It profiles coders, oceanographers, engineers, and environmentalists. It introduces teenagers to roles they may have never considered. And it does so in ways that feel relevant to their daily lives.
Building a Stronger STEM Pipeline Through Media
Representation is crucial, but it’s only the first step. The next challenge is turning inspiration into opportunity. “We think about a wide range of investments,” Small said. “That includes philanthropic work like supporting Girls Who Code, as well as media investments like Mission Unstoppable. We want to meet girls where they are on social media, on their screens, and in their classrooms — and provide content that invests in their intellectual futures.”
The If/Then Initiative’s digital STEM collection is now one of the largest in the world, with thousands of free assets available to schools and nonprofits. Teachers can use this content in classrooms to show students real-world applications of science and technology. Museums have also embraced these resources, redesigning exhibits to highlight diverse STEM careers. Even textbook publishers are incorporating If/Then photography and content into their curriculum materials.
The goal is to create a consistent, reinforcing message. Girls encounter STEM role models in Saturday morning episodes of Mission Unstoppable, in TikTok clips, in classroom lessons, and on museum walls. Each exposure builds on the last. Over time, that repeated messaging shapes expectations and expands what feels possible.
From STEM Recruitment to Retention
Recruiting women into STEM is one challenge. Keeping them there is another. Many leave due to a lack of support, bias, or limited advancement opportunities. Small argues that role models are essential at every stage. “Whether you’re a five-year-old girl who loves bears and sees a scientist studying them, a high school student thinking about becoming an engineer, or a mid-career scientist navigating your next step, you need to see someone ahead of you,” she said.
These stories also normalize setbacks. “Science is about experimenting,” Small added. “Most experiments don’t work. Life isn’t a straight line. Seeing role models who share their failures and how they overcame them helps women persist in their careers.”
It’s a message echoed across industries. Companies that prioritize representation and mentorship see higher retention and leadership advancement for women. And those outcomes ripple outward, inspiring future generations to follow suit.
The Future of STEM Storytelling
Media and education are no longer separate silos. They intersect and reinforce one another. That’s part of what makes Mission Unstoppable so effective. The show reaches nearly a million viewers on CBS each weekend and billions of views on platforms like TikTok. The content is then used in classrooms and museums, transforming entertainment into education.
“The heart of all this is storytelling,” Small said. “Kids learn in different ways. Media lets us tell stories that connect classroom lessons to real-world impact. A biology class might introduce students to the science of cellular change, then show them a segment about a scientist working on cancer therapies. That connection makes the science meaningful. It makes it personal.”
This integrated approach is shaping a new model for STEM engagement. Technology, storytelling, and representation together can break down barriers that once seemed insurmountable. And for girls, that means a future where STEM careers feel not just possible, but natural.
Why STEM Representation Must Stay at the Center
The next generation of innovators will be tasked with solving problems that don’t yet exist. Climate change, global health crises, and AI ethics; these challenges will require diverse perspectives, creative thinking, and equitable participation. Yet those solutions will remain out of reach if half the population is left behind.
Mission Unstoppable is a reminder that storytelling can be a form of structural change. By showing girls that they belong in science and technology, the series plants seeds that can grow into companies, discoveries, and movements. Representation is not a side note to progress; it is a driver of it.
And if the Scully Effect taught us anything, it’s that a single story can shift an entire generation’s sense of possibility. With shows like Mission Unstoppable on screen, more girls can see themselves as pursuing a role in the STEM field not someday, but right now.