Each year, we invite our pre-scientists to reflect on their experience in the pen pal program and express what STEM, curiosity, and connection mean to them through art. Then, we turn their art into our annual LPS program sticker. Students from across the country submit designs that capture their evolving relationship with STEM, and the many paths that curiosity can open.
This year’s winning sticker was designed by Caleigh, a 6th grader from California. Her artwork features a flask filled with the scientific symbols: a planet, a gear, a plant, and an atom — each representing a different branch of STEM.
Photo Caption: Pictured here is the winning sticker design created by Caleigh, a 6th grader from California.
Caleigh described her design this way:
“The components in the bottle resemble the mix of jobs and fields you can study, and sometimes chemicals can be unpredictable, just like scientist jobs. The planet, gear, plant, and neutron are all types of science that we discover from being a part of the LPS program.”
Her design beautifully reflects a core belief of LPS: that the path to a STEM career doesn’t have to be linear, and that exploration, experimentation, and even uncertainty are part of the journey.
How LPS Shaped Caleigh’s Path
Caleigh has participated in LPS for two years, and during that time, her vision for her future has grown and shifted.
“I have been able to participate in LPS for 2 years and it’s a great program. It really made me rethink what I wanted to be when I grow up, and you get to talk to people with a variety of jobs tweaked to your interests. I have learned so much more about my possibilities thanks to LPS.”
When she first joined the program, Caleigh dreamed of becoming a doctor. But after learning more about science, including watching a video about cells, she discovered a new fascination. Now, her goal is to become a microbiologist.
Stories like Caleigh’s remind us why representation, mentorship, and honest conversations about careers matter so deeply during the middle school years.
Sharing the Sticker with the LPS Community
With the winning design selected, we printed 6,750 stickers and sent them out to LPS classrooms across the country. Each student pre-scientist will receive two stickers: one to keep, and one to include in a letter to their STEM pen pal, a small but meaningful way to extend connection beyond the classroom.
The annual sticker is more than just a fun tradition, it’s a celebration of student voice, creativity, and the many futures our pre-scientists are beginning to imagine.
It’s also a way we build connection with our global community. Program participants can collect a sticker each year and use it as a conversation starter to tell people about LPS. Here’s LPS CEO Lucy’s laptop with the full collection of LPS stickers!
Pictured here is LPS CEO Lucy’s laptop, which proudly displays all the LPS stickers over the years!
We’re so proud of Caleigh and grateful to every student who shared their art, ideas, and curiosity with us this year. 💛
Here are a few other outstanding runner up designs!
A 5th grader in Ms. Caudill’s class in Kentucky place drew this and shared: “Letters to a Pre-Scientist reels in the excitement!”
Photo Caption: Pictured of Runner up from Ms. Caudill’s class
A 6th grader in Ms. Tuck’s class in California drew this and shared: “My design shows a letter between the astronaut and a student sharing their ideas together no matter the distance.”
