CU scientist becomes STEM superhero for kids
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.

University of Colorado researcher Alison Banwell and her coloring book page. Photo: Courtesy of CU Boulder
A University of Colorado research scientist is featured as a coloring book superhero, joining a cast of women reshaping the future of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).
Why it matters: Putting women front and center in fields with notable gender gaps gives young girls a powerful visual cue: You belong here.
Driving the news: Alison Banwell, a glaciologist at CU Boulder's Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES), is one of 25 women featured in Kathy Kale Nelson's "STEM Super Stars: Women of Today Changing The World."
- Banwell's page is inspired by a real photo of her working in Antarctica — though illustrator Nelson couldn't resist adding a few curious penguins cheering her on.
- The book is available now and designed for kids ages 3-12.
Behind the scenes: Nelson also hosts "Ordinarily Extraordinary," a podcast highlighting women in STEM. She first became interested in glaciology after a 2022 trip to Antarctica, which led to her finding Banwell for an episode of the podcast.
- "After deciding to create the coloring book about three years ago, I knew I wanted to have Ali be a part of the book," Nelson told Axios Boulder.
- Banwell, who's back in Antarctica for research, told Axios Boulder she hopes the book "sparks curiosity and confidence" in young girls.
Between the lines: Nelson wants young kids flipping (and coloring) through the pages to see possibilities.
- "I want them to remember that they saw pictures of women doing these jobs and think, 'Hey, that might be interesting, or I could do that,'" Nelson said.
- Banwell knows firsthand what visible role models can help achieve; her mother studied engineering. "Her confidence in maths and physics, subjects not always 'cool' for girls, helped shape mine."
- She also credits her aunt, who took her climbing and hiking in the U.K. mountains. She "sparked my curiosity about how glaciers once shaped those landscapes," Banwell told us.
