Google engineer Komal Singh talks new children’s book

Summary

Komal Singh, a Google program manager, authored *Ara the Star Engineer* to inspire young children, especially girls, to explore STEM fields after her daughter assumed all engineers were men. The picture book follows Ara, a young girl, and her robot sidekick on an adventure to count stars, learning coding, creativity, and collaboration from real-life women engineers. The book aims to challenge stereotypes and teach problem-solving, with a free immersive VR experience complementing the story. Available in multiple languages, it encourages all children to think of themselves as creators, not just consumers, of technology.

Takeaways

• 😀 Komal Singh, a Google engineer, was motivated to write a children's book after her daughter assumed that all engineers are men.
• 😀 The book, *Ara the Star Engineer*, targets children ages 5 to 9 and aims to inspire them to explore STEM subjects.
• 😀 Komal has over 13 years of experience in the tech industry, with various roles in software engineering and program management.
• 😀 Research shows that girls begin doubting their abilities in STEM subjects as early as six years old, which motivated Komal to create a resource that promotes diversity in STEM.
• 😀 Only 5% of children's picture books feature people of color or are authored by individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• 😀 *Ara the Star Engineer* features a young girl named Ara and her sidekick Droid Didi on an adventure to count all the stars in the sky, incorporating real-life women engineers.
• 😀 The story introduces the 'four C's' of success: courage, creativity, coding, and collaboration, as the characters solve problems together.
• 😀 In addition to the book, there is a website with activity sheets and learning resources, and the book has been turned into an immersive 3D VR experience.
• 😀 The book is for everyone, regardless of gender, and is designed to spark curiosity and inspire both boys and girls to think like problem solvers.
• 😀 Teachers and parents have praised the book for introducing STEM concepts in a fun, non-academic way that encourages kids to think critically and creatively.
• 😀 Komal’s project exceeded her expectations, with the book being translated into 10 languages and receiving overwhelming positive feedback from teachers, children, and parents.

Q & A

What inspired Komal Singh to create the book *Ara the Star Engineer*?

Komal Singh was inspired to create the book after her four-year-old daughter assumed that all engineers were men. This realization prompted her to challenge gender stereotypes and encourage children, especially girls, to explore STEM subjects.

What is the target age group for *Ara the Star Engineer*?

The book is aimed at children aged 5 to 9, designed to inspire them to explore STEM subjects through a fun and engaging story.

What is the plot of *Ara the Star Engineer*?

The story follows a young girl named Ara and her robot sidekick, Didi, on an adventure to count all the stars in the sky. They visit the world of Innovation Plex, meeting real-life women engineers who help them solve problems using the 'four Cs': courage, creativity, coding, and collaboration.

How does the book introduce STEM concepts to children?

The book introduces STEM concepts in a whimsical and playful manner, using an adventure story that showcases diversity in engineering. It teaches the importance of problem-solving and computational thinking through fun examples like writing algorithms for everyday tasks.

What additional resources were created alongside the book?

In addition to the book, there is a website with downloadable activity sheets and learning resources for parents, teachers, and kids. The book has also been converted into an immersive 3D experience that can be viewed using Google Expeditions and virtual reality glasses.

Is *Ara the Star Engineer* only for girls?

No, the book is for everyone—both boys and girls, as well as other non-binary genders. It aims to encourage all children to think creatively, problem-solve, and explore STEM fields, regardless of gender.

What feedback has Komal Singh received from teachers and parents?

Teachers and parents have expressed delight in how the book introduces coding concepts in a playful and engaging way. Many have reported that children are starting to think about problem-solving and writing their own algorithms in fun ways, such as creating algorithms for daily routines.

Has the book been successful in reaching a wide audience?

Yes, the book has exceeded Komal Singh's expectations. It is being translated into multiple languages and is receiving positive feedback from readers worldwide, including fan mail and letters from children and teachers.

What role did Google play in the creation of the book?

Google did not officially create the book, but Googlers helped Komal Singh by contributing to the development of the book's website, activity sheets, and coding the immersive VR experience. The project was a collaborative effort among her peers at Google.

What impact does Komal Singh hope the book will have on children?

Komal Singh hopes the book will inspire children to become problem solvers, critical thinkers, and creators, not just consumers of technology. The goal is not necessarily to convert children into engineers, but to foster a mindset where they believe they can solve problems and pursue their interests, whatever they may be.