Girls in STEM and Pageantry: Beauty with Brains

Girls in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) and pageantry may seem like two completely different worlds, but for Vikas Sankar, they have complemented each other in inspiring ways.

Vikas entered the STEM field at the remarkable age of six. She has actively participated in the World Robotics Competition and has been a member of the FIRST LEGO League Junior Team in St. Louis twice. When she began building and coding metal robots in middle school, she was the only girl on her team, but she thrived. Her contributions helped her FIRST TECH Challenge Team win the Judges Award, showing that passion and skill know no gender.

In recent years, efforts to inspire girls to enter STEM have increased through programs and initiatives aimed at providing opportunities and support. Yet Vikas has been breaking stereotypes long before these efforts became mainstream.

As a junior in high school, Vikas stepped out of her comfort zone to participate in high school pageantry. The experience provided a platform to showcase not only her talents but also her STEM skills. For the talent portion, she creatively danced with robots on stage, merging technology and artistry. During the interview portion, she confidently discussed her STEM achievements and knowledge.

Pageantry also allowed Vikas to promote STEM to a wider audience, inspiring those who might not have considered it as a career path. She has received the Aspiration in Computing Award from the National Center for Women in Technology and serves as a paid intern through the Mayor’s Youth at Work Partnership in Jacksonville. In this role, she engages with children at the Ronald McDonald House, encouraging curiosity and learning.

Her pageant experience has become a powerful platform for educating and inspiring others, especially young girls, about the relevance and impact of STEM in everyday life. She was also honored with the Miss Stanton Award at Stanton College Preparatory School.

Today, Vikas is pursuing Biomedical Sciences on a Pre-Med Track at the University of Central Florida, continuing to merge her passions for science, technology, and community impact.
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Her journey shows that girls in STEM and pageantry can complement each other, promoting gender equality and encouraging young women to pursue their passions, whether on the stage or in the lab.