The Space Gal is Redefining Science Style
MIT engineer Emily Calandrelli on why she made her book tour into a fashion show, too.
Emily Calandrelli, known to many as @TheSpaceGal on social media and host of Emily’s Wonder Lab on Netflix, just published her ninth (!) children’s science book, Stay Curious and Keep Exploring: Next Level. To greet her fans around the country, the MIT engineer is wearing the most fun — and feminine — outfits. Think: Tulle skirts, sparkly shoes, and pearl headbands.
Calandrelli has loudly and proudly turned her book tour into a fashion show, too. “You dress like a princess to promote your SCIENCE book?” she wrote on her latest Reel ahead of her book signing in New York. “Yes, and?” comes her response as she swishes the flouncy skirt of her lavender dress.
You know I adore this — and I love the “why” of it all even more. Calandrelli told me she wants to show kids, particularly young girls, that a scientist doesn’t have to look like “an old man in a lab coat.” What’s more, she hopes young STEM professionals will not feel like they have to adhere to an expected (often masculine) aesthetic in order to be seen as smart and capable.
When we talked this week, I was surprised to learn there was a time when Calandrelli steered clear of wearing color. Below, our conversation about the ah-ha fashion moment that changed all that (it involves a pink skirt and an explosion). We also discussed why she wanted her new science book to look like something sold at Claire’s, how she has embraced standing out in a sea of dark suits, and more on her “professional cupcake style.”
My thanks to Emily! Pick a copy of Stay Curious and Keep Exploring: Next Level on Amazon, Bookshop.org, or your local independent bookstore. It is the second in a series — my family loves the first installment, too.
The Space Gal is Redefining Science Style
Please note: This conversation has been edited and condensed.
To start, I would love to hear how you became @TheSpaceGal we all know, and love, and follow today?
Emily Calandrelli: I have four degrees in science and engineering and I have two master’s degrees from MIT [the Massachusetts Institute of Technology], in aeronautics and astronautics, and something called technology and policy. When I graduated from MIT, I got a call from a production company asking if I wanted to be the host of a new space TV show. I thought that sounded like a fun adventure. By saying yes, I became the first woman in the United States with their own nationwide science show and I’ve been working in the field ever since.
Xploration Outer Space has been on the air for the last 10 years. We are still filming it today, which is pretty wild for any TV show to have that sort of longevity — I’m really proud of that. I have been a correspondent on Bill Nye Saves the World and I have my own Netflix show, Emily’s Wonder Lab. And now, I have officially published nine children’s science books.
Your latest book, which came out this week, is called Stay Curious and Keep Exploring: Next Level. What made you want to write this one?
The origin story is that Emily’s Wonder Lab didn’t get renewed. I had all of these science experiments built up for ideas for seasons two through 10. When they said that we weren’t getting a second season, I was like, “OK, well what do I do with all of these ideas?”
I found my niche within Emily’s Wonder Lab. I loved talking to families and kids about science. I felt like I was really good at it and I found a lot of joy in doing it. It was a really important age, too — the demographic that I reached, studies have shown that that is the age when girls often lose interest in science. That’s when a lot of the stereotypes start to seep in. So I put all my ideas into Stay Curious and Keep Exploring.
What did you hope to do with the first installment?
I didn’t want to create a science textbook that you would find in a library. I wanted the type of book that you would be more likely to find in Claire’s. It’s really colorful and sparkly and Lisa Frank-esque. That was the core of my soul when I was growing up. [Laughs] I feel like it makes science more welcoming and playful.
The inside of the book is very similar, all about interactive science. When I get to the “Here’s what is happening” part, instead of lecturing the reader, it’s a conversation between me and a kid who is asking questions. I felt like that dynamic was an easier way to deliver bite-sized information. Hopefully, kids feel encouraged to ask their own questions, too.
And now you are back with another installment, Stay Curious and Keep Exploring: Next Level.
Yes! The first book had 50 science experiments. This one has 50 more. I also include more personal stories about my time on Emily’s Wonder Lab and some of the adventures I have had as a science TV show host. There are also science puns and science jokes and a grocery list of supplies for the experiments to make it a little bit easier for parents.
“It feels so different watching a woman in a twirly, sparkly dress doing a big science explosion than seeing an old man in a lab coat.”
Let’s talk about your fashion. Have you always been someone who has felt comfortably dressing in your own style?
Oh, no. Even until recently, I had not felt comfortable testing the boundaries of what would be considered “non-traditional” fashion in this space.
I have my foot in two worlds: Family and kids’ science education, but also the aerospace industry. At top-level speaking events and conferences there are a bunch of old men. I’m already unique being a girl and it feels like a little bit too much to emphasize that uniqueness in those rooms. I often would just wear something as plain as I could find, something that would look professional but not stand out. If you look back at my Xploration: Outer Space show, my outfits are mostly black. It was pants, sometimes a blazer, always black — no color whatsoever.
What changed?
With Emily’s Wonder Lab, I had those bright pink overalls. I loved those overalls. And more than anything, I loved that I wore pink. I think just the happiness that Emily’s Wonder Lab exuded brought me back to: I should be wearing more color. I should be wearing more pink.
I realized that I was doing all of these things that could be fashion moments and could make them more fun for me — but also make someone like me, when I was younger, feel more confident in pushing those boundaries, too.
Very much like how I wanted to make the book more welcoming to people who haven’t felt welcome in science before, I want my fashion to make little girls feel like science can be for them, too. It feels so different watching a woman in a twirly, sparkly dress doing a big science explosion than seeing an old man in a lab coat. We have seen so many old men in lab coats do science — that is something that is so easy to visualize.
Was there an ah-ha moment — or outfit — for you?
Last fall, when I went back to West Virginia, my home state, I did a presentation in front of a middle school with hundreds of kids. I happened to wear this pink skirt and this light lime green sweater and these tall white boots. I felt really pretty.
My parents were sitting in the bleachers and they were videoing. And I saw this video of me doing a big explosion — and I think there was something about being able to see it from the students’ perspective? I was like, “That really would have been cool to see someone who looked like me doing a science experiment at that age. I should do more of that.”
I love how you talk about this on social media, saying very clearly why you are wearing these clothes. One ensemble that comes to mind is that fantastic ivory dress you wore to the White House in January to discuss STEM.
It was from Self-Portrait — it was my favorite thing I have ever bought! I have been telling my followers I am trying to curate a “professional cupcake style.” I want to strike a balance between the feminine girliness and professional business woman. The “professional cupcake” is where I have landed. That white dress, with pearls and a little bit of gems in it, was just the perfect combo.
When I put a lot of thought into my outfit, it adds to the idea that I am prepared for whatever I am about to do. I have prepared my words, I have prepared my presentation, and I have also now prepared the outfit that I am presenting it in. It makes me feel more put together and confident to deliver the message that I am trying to deliver.
I loved everything about it. Did you stand out in a room of dark suits?
It was a sea of neutrals, and black and gray pantsuits. There is not a lot of variety going on there. [Laughs] After becoming a TV show host and public speaker, I have embraced this role of “all eyes on me.” I have gotten more confident in my opinions and I have earned a role in whatever space I am in. So it is not only OK, but sometimes it is really great if all eyes are on me.
It’s a great conversation starter, too, in those spaces where you may not know everybody really well. It is so easy to be like, “Hey, I love… whatever is on that person’s body! What’s your name?”
It’s so true, fashion can be such an opportunity for connection.
I went to the White House with a few of my girlfriends, most of whom are astronauts. We all have this collection of space-themed clothing. Any time we get together, we are like, “Oh my god, where’d you get that purse?” and “Oh, your star shoes!” At any given event, there will be something unique on our body that will be space themed that will bring us together.
“It is so much easier to push those boundaries when you have leverage and you have power.”
I love the message you send with your choices. Why do you think, in the year 2024, it is still so easy to dismiss things that girls like. Barbie pink comes to mind.
In science and engineering, these male dominated spaces, we are so used to seeing the people in power wearing something very different than pink. We are used to seeing the people who hold all the cards, who are making all of the decisions, who are oftentimes the most experienced people in the room, dressing very masculine.
Subconsciously — or sometimes not subconsciously, but directly told to us — we learn or we believe that the feminine is slightly less than the masculine. In these STEM spaces, that corresponds not only to power, but also to intelligence. So we try to adhere our fashion, and sometimes even our personalities, as close to the masculine as possible. It’s not only to fit in, but also to try to get ahead, to try to signal to others that we are intelligent and we are professional — as if pink is not intelligent or professional.
The thing that I have learned is that it is so much easier to push those boundaries when you have leverage and you have power. It is really easy for me to wear all pink and wear these twirly dresses and be like, “I’m dressing like a feminine scientist and no one can stop me!” But it’s much harder for an intern or a younger professional in her field to do the same. She has more on the line.
I feel like it’s my responsibility to push those boundaries where I can because I have all of the power to do so without any of the risk that those younger women would often face.
I totally agree. Do you have any advice for people who want to start including more of their personal style in their professional wardrobes?
Starting small is a really good way to do it. For me, starting small was just incorporating color. It was a huge shift for me to go from all black all the time to sometimes wearing baby blue. That felt so bright! [Laughs] Or even just fun shoes. That’s a fun way to just nudge yourself in a different direction.
How would you describe your style now?
I have had this shift recently where I feel happier when I wear color. Pinks and greens are my favorite. I now have a personal rule: I can’t buy anything new unless it has color. I’m not allowed to purchase black anymore. I am in this new era of color and girly fashion — it’s not just practical, it’s fun.
Yes, yes, YES to all of this. My thanks to Emily. Make sure to follow her at @TheSpaceGal and pick up a copy of Stay Curious and Keep Exploring Next Level on Amazon, Bookshop.org, or at your local independent bookstore.
PS: After we hung up, I could not believe I hadn’t asked her about her work on the Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening Enhancement Act (BABES for short, call your reps to advocate for it). It’s a congressional bill that grew out of Calandrelli’s experience — that quickly went viral — trying to get through airport security with her breast pump. Also, I am anxiously awaiting the return of her merch. Her previous offering included a shirt that said, “Space flights and reproductive rights.” More reasons to love Emily. 🫶
Love this! I am a fellow engineer, and tend to be the only female engineer in my office throughout most of my career. In our area I also tend to be the first female engineer that others have worked with. This strikes so true. Would have loved this kind of example when I was starting out. Like Emily I have gradually learned to bring my personality into my wardrobe despite what is expected. When I am in a meeting or at a construction site I stand out regardless of what I wear. I may as well wear what I love! I love that there are women like Emily now for young stem women to look up to. I also follow galacticgal and chloetheengineer for inspiration in this area.
Love her professional cupcake. I dress for myself too. I’m also often the only woman in the room, and I don big statement jewelry and twirly fun dresses and kick ass while being true to myself. I went to a client meeting at a major pharmaceutical company wearing my embroidered fox dress and patterned leggings. I was the brightest thing for miles.