Scientists Like Me®
Sun., June 28
10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Scientists Like Me® spotlights Autistic, Neurodiverse, and Disabled people working in STEM.
This event is family-friendly and is included with General Admission.
Representation is critical to expanding our vision of who can study, excel at, or have a career in STEM. Diverse representation also helps to demystify and destigmatize under-represented populations working in STEM fields. This program will highlight STEM professionals who may not fit the traditional expectation of what a scientist looks, thinks, moves, speaks, or acts like. Carnegie Science Center believes that an individual’s unique traits bring valuable and varied perspectives to STEM fields, and we are committed to showing diverse representation among scientists and STEM professionals who are just like YOU…or ME!
Scientists Like Me® brings local STEM professionals who self-identify as part of the Disabled, Neurodiverse, or Autistic populations on-site. Through one-on-one conversations with our presenters, visitors can learn about their experiences in their fields and the exciting contributions being made by Autistic and disabled scientists.
This event will feature live demonstrations and shows by various Science Center departments, adjusted for a sensory-sensitive audience. Our quiet room will be made available throughout the event, for anyone who would benefit from a break in a low-stimulus environment.
As always, sensory backpacks will be available to borrow at the Ticket Counter, free of charge, for use during your time at the museum. View the Adventure Guide 
to help prepare for a stress-free visit. For questions about accessibility accommodations; call 412-237-3400 or email Accessibility@CarnegieScienceCenter.Org.
Why have we created this program?
At Carnegie Science Center, we believe that STEM is for everyone. We’re committed to showcasing diverse representation among scientists and STEM professionals.
“Students with disabilities are underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) majors and this underrepresentation of individuals with disabilities persists in STEM workforce settings. In college, students with disabilities encounter many challenges influencing their retention in STEM majors.” – Speaking up: a model of self-advocacy for STEM undergraduates with ADHD and/or specific learning disabilities
“[We need a] field-wide rethink of how we work to accommodate people who need different conditions than what’s standard to thrive. Teachers, university administrators, and professional societies need to consider ways to make [working in] science more accessible and welcoming for people with physical disabilities – not just because we need everyone’s talent, but because it is the right thing to do.”– It’s time to stop excluding people with disabilities from science
View the day’s special Shows and Activities
Buhl Planetarium (2nd Floor)
11 am (approximately 15 minutes)
Appropriate for all ages, including early learners!
Storytime Under the Stars – Enjoy science-themed stories under a starry sky! Have a seat on a carpet square, gather ‘round our storyteller, and relax under a bright and beaming Moon in our planetarium. Featuring adjusted lighting and sound; fidget toys, accessible seating and noise cancelling headphones available.
Works Theater (4th Floor)
Live Demonstration shows in a relaxed atmosphere, adjusted to be sensory-friendly. Modified lighting, warnings for loud noises, flexible seating. Sensory backpacks and fidgets available. (Approximately 20-30 minutes per show)
11:30 am
Earth and Friends
2:00 pm
Freeze
Outdoor Exploration sessions on the Riverwalk
Explore nature with the Animal and Habitats team. Learn ASL vocabulary for local flora and fauna and explore Autism-friendly mobile apps for nature identification.
11 am and 12:30 pm (Meet on the patio outside RiverView Café)
All ages; 25 spots available per session. Wheelchair accessible.
Our Event Presenters
Abi Hunter (she/her)
Site Reliability Engineer – Google
“I’m an AuDHD, lesbian software engineer originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico. I earned a BA in lingusitics and an MS in computer science at the University of Chicago under an Odyssey Scholarship, a fund allocated for low-income students.”
Caylin G. Winchell, Ph.D. (she/her)
Assistant Professor of Biology, PhD – Chatham University
“I’m a queer scientist and educator with ADHD and anxiety.”
Damola and Obawole Idowu
Engineers, creatives, entrepreneurs
Father and son cofounders of Toyz Electronics – A Carnegie Mellon University Startup at Swartz Center for Entrepreneurship
Toyzelectronics.com ~ www.toyzsteam.com
Dr. Rose Dasgupta (they/them; he/him; ze/zir)
Biostatistician/Data Scientist – Magee Women’s Research Institute at University of Pittsburgh
“I am a naturalized US citizen and Bengali/Indian-American from a low/middle-class immigrant background. I am a brown, queer, non-binary, statistician, informatician, engineer, and artist with (medically-diagnosed) chronic inflammatory pain conditions and (self-diagnosed) AuDHD [Autism and ADHD].”
Sarah Scott B. Dietz, MD (she/her/hers)
Staff Physician (Home-Based Primary Care) – Pittsburgh VA Health System
Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Hospice and Palliative Medicine
“I am a neurodivergent physician and US Air Force veteran with invisible disabilities and late-diagnosed AuDHD.”
Greg Siegle, PhD (he/him/them)
Professor of Psychiatry and Translational Sciences – University of Pittsburgh
“I’m an autistic professor.”
Graham Molsick (he/him)
Systems Analyst – Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania
“I am a queer, AuDHD, IT professional and I have an invisible disability.”
