Logan Hanson
FightingIllini.com

Stephanie Hein, a former swimmer for the Illini from 2012-16, on Sept. 4 was named the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MakerGirl, a non-profit organization that works out of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. MakerGirl attempts to teach and inspire young girls to become interested in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) through 3D printing sessions.

"We run after school classes with 7- to 10-year-old-girls. They come to the University and learn about science, technology, engineering and math," said Hein. "They learn about how those subjects relate to everyday things like the car they drive in {or} the toothpaste that they use.

The main way that they teach these girls is through the process of 3D printing, which is the process of making a physical object from a three dimensional digital model. This process allows the girls to bring "their ideas to life" according to Hein.

"We teach them through 3D printing where we have them come up with an idea, they draw it out and they get to design it on the computer and then they get to 3D print it and take it home with them," said Hein. "So, they get to learn how to make their idea come to life."

Hein, who studied molecular biology at the University of Illinois, found the organization to be "unique" and wanted to join immediately.

"My junior year at Illinois I was scrolling through Facebook and I saw an article about MakerGirl," said Hein. "They had just completed their first session of 3D printing with young girls and I just thought it was a really unique idea and since I was studying biology at the time, the issue of women in STEM was very close to my heart. So I just emailed them and joined the team."

Hein started working for MakerGirl during her junior year as a general team member where she would help run the sessions and come up with ideas for the sessions. She then worked her way up in the company and became the engagement director her senior year, which also came with a special experience for both Hein and MakerGirl.

"{The role} involved planning a road trip we did over the summer where we drove 10,000 miles in eight weeks and brought our sessions to 17 different states across the country," said Hein.

After her senior year, Hein left the company to get her Master's degree in Education from the University of Michigan. Upon graduating, MakerGirl reached out to Hein to see if she would be interested in coming back with the company, which she accepted.

"They called me up and said they were ready to hire a full-time person," said Hein. "That's how I came back."

Hein, being a swimmer and eventual student-athlete at University of Illinois, chose Illinois because of the school spirit she saw both in and out of the pool that left her "impressed." Hein said that she has used the lessons she learned from her experience on the team to help her get to where she is today with MakerGirl.

"I think teamwork is a big lesson," said Hein. "Obviously you are on a team when you're an athlete and now I'm working with a team of students…perseverance is another big one I'd say because you have to work really hard before seeing the results and reaching your goals so that's another very similar dynamic between athletics and MakerGirl."

Hein's former team is very excited and proud to hear about their team member's accomplishment.

"I am so proud of Stephanie and her stepping into this new position as CEO of MakerGirl," said UI swimming & diving head coach Sue Novitsky. "When Stephanie was on the team she was very passionate about her interests and was a very hard worker in and out of the pool. To see her be able to come back and work with MakerGirl and help spread her passion and enthusiasm to other girls is fantastic. She is a terrific representative of what a student-athlete at the University of Illinois can accomplish if they stay engaged with their passions."

Hein had only good things to say about her former team that helped her get through her time at University of Illinois. She also wanted to thank those members of the swimming and diving team that supported her through the years.

"The swimming and diving team is amazing…they are so supportive," said Hein, "They were supportive when I was here and they are still supportive and they're passionate about what they do. I couldn't have made it through my time here without them, so thank you."

MakerGirl has been able to reach over 3,000 girls across the country and their MakerGirl Goes Mobile program (the one that Hein helped launch) has raised more than $45,000. MakerGirl was also recently able to expand to Northwestern University and has set a goal of impacting 10,000 girls by 2023 according to a company press release. If you are interested in MakerGirl and its mission visit https://makergirl.us/.