Welcome to Tiny Sparks Lab: Where Every Child Can See Themselves as a Scientist!
- Erica Benjamin
- Oct 28
- 3 min read
Hey there, Tiny Scientist Family! 👋🏾I’m Ms. B — educator, scientist, advocate, and founder of Tiny Sparks Lab, where we believe that curiosity is contagious, discovery is for everyone, and science belongs to all of us.
For years, I’ve taught classrooms filled with brilliant, creative, and culturally diverse students. Yet, when we opened textbooks or watched science videos, my students didn’t see themselves reflected. That realization lit a spark in me — the spark that became Tiny Sparks Lab.
The Spark That Started It All
Through my research and teaching, I learned something that both inspired and challenged me: science isn’t being pushed enough for children of color, and there’s still a huge lack of representation in STEM careers.
So I decided to do something about it. Tiny Sparks Lab was born out of my desire to inspire children of all ages, ethnicities, and backgrounds to know — deep down — that they too can be scientists.
Our mission is simple but powerful: Representation. Exposure. Discovery.
We help children and families explore the amazing world of science, make messes, ask questions, and find joy in figuring things out together. Whether in the kitchen, the classroom, the backyard, or the community center, there’s always room for discovery.
The Heart Behind Tiny Sparks
Tiny Sparks Lab reflects everything I love about teaching and science. It’s bright. It’s functional. And it’s intentional.
As a teacher and scientist, I’ve always believed that learning should be hands-on, inquiry-based, and full of those “aha!” moments that make kids’ eyes light up. Every resource, blog, and activity from Tiny Sparks is built on that same foundation — accessible science for every family, with representation woven into every illustration, experiment, and example.
Because when children see scientists who look like them, talk like them, and come from their communities — they don’t just learn science. They believe in it.
The Book That Started the Movement
Our first project, We Are Scientists, was designed to bring that belief to life.
Originally created to give children fun, hands-on science opportunities during the summer, the book is full of labs that families can do together — using materials found right at home. From simple kitchen experiments to creative problem-solving challenges, it’s all about proving that you don’t need fancy supplies or a big lab to explore science.
The pages of We Are Scientists feature a beautifully diverse range of children — because representation isn’t optional, it’s essential. Every child deserves to open a book and see someone who looks like them discovering, experimenting, and creating.
And this is just the beginning. Tiny Sparks Lab is expanding to explore even more STEM fields, showing children the endless possibilities that science holds for their futures.
In the Classroom That Started It All
My “why” became crystal clear the first time I watched my pre-K students transform into tiny scientists. Each week, we explored something new — mixing, measuring, making predictions, and yes, making plenty of messes!
They learned that being a scientist isn’t just about lab coats and goggles. It’s about curiosity, creativity, and courage.
They asked questions. They formed hypotheses. They cheered when their baking soda volcanoes erupted. And they proudly declared, “We ARE scientists!”
Even my seventh and eighth graders joined in — helping their younger science buddies discover that scientists come in all sizes, all colors, and all ages. Those moments confirmed for me what I already knew: representation and exposure can change everything.
The Bigger Picture
Tiny Sparks Lab is more than a brand — it’s a movement. A movement to build early STEM confidence. A movement to empower families to learn together. A movement to show that science is not just something you study — it’s something you live.
Through our books, blogs, and future science kits, we’re giving every child the opportunity to see themselves as innovators, problem solvers, and discoverers.
So welcome to Tiny Sparks Lab, where curiosity is celebrated, creativity is encouraged, and every child can see themselves as a scientist.
Call to Action
✨ Follow us on social media @TinySparksLab for more hands-on ideas and science fun!
✨ Grab your copy of We Are Scientists to start exploring at home!
✨ Share photos of your Tiny Scientists in action — we’d love to feature your discoveries!
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