Loni Love Hosts Debut of Not the Science Type at Tribeca

Posted by Sean Tucker

Not The Science Type is a four-part docuseries featuring four female scientists who are challenging stereotypes and confronting discrimination as they rise to prominence. In fields ranging from biology and engineering to science-based applications and innovations, these scientists challenge stereotypes and confront gender, racial and age discrimination along the way. While each has taken a different path to pursue scientific excellence, they are bound by the common experience of feeling excluded or “not the type” in traditionally homogenous scientific fields. The film debuted at a special screening hosted by Loni Love, co-host of “The Real,” comedian and a former electrical engineer, during the 2021 Tribeca Festival and is now available on Apple TV and Google Play.

Not the Science Type advances a conversation around stereotypes and their negative impact on STEM diversity, equity and inclusion. The film reveals the human impact of insights uncovered in the 3M State of Science Index, a global original research study that confirms girls and women in STEM still face obstacles because of their gender. By highlighting four brilliant minds, the film showcases women who break down boundaries within their fields – including biology, engineering and science and technology-based applications. Gitanjali Rao, TIME Magazine’s Kid of the Year 2020, is a 15-year-old inventor who is on a mission to inspire and create a global community of young innovators to solve problems all over the world. Dr. Ciara Sivels is a nuclear engineer with Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, and the first Black woman to earn a PhD from the University of Michigan in nuclear engineering. The series also features global health scientist and microbiologist Dr. Jessica Taaffe and Dr. Jayshree Seth, chemical engineer and 3M’s chief scientist advocate, with 72 patents to her name. The film relays a message of hope and inspiration for future generations as these women overcome inherent biases and breakthrough the boundaries to show all that is possible.

The film presents an original song “Tameless” recorded by songwriter/poet/singer April Rose Gabrielli, whose recent credits include “Let Me Help” written for a COVID-19 benefit with Sir Patrick Stewart, Ozzy Osbourne, Rick Wakeman & Julian Lennon.

Not The Science Type is a follow up to the series Let Science Speak, which aired on The Weather Channel and had an original score by Fall Out Boy's lead singer, Patrick Stump.

Not The Science Type is directed by documentary filmmaker Julio Palacio and produced by Christine Arena (Let Science Speak, When the Earth Moves). Produced by 3M and Generous Films, the docuseries aims to spark a deeper conversation about stereotypes and their negative impact on STEM diversity, equity, and inclusion.