The Science of Beauty – in Hillsborough County Public Schools
Microscopes, Bunsen burners and beakers: Let’s face it—sometimes it takes a little more to get students interested in science.
Especially girls.
Especially middle school girls.
It’s unfortunate, but the numbers tell the story.
In elementary school, 74% of girls express interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). However, during the middle school years, there is a significant decline in engagement.
Some attribute the drop to a lack of role models. Others point to gender bias or fewer hands-on experiments that truly capture students’ attention.
That’s where The Science of Beauty comes in.
The Science of Beauty is a dynamic STEM initiative designed specifically for middle school girls — and it’s already making an impact in three Hillsborough County Public Schools: Sligh Middle Magnet, Young Middle Magnet and Rodgers Middle Magnet.
The visionary behind The Science of Beauty STEM Program is Sakeya Donaldson. Her mission is to use strong partnerships and educational initiatives to create pathways for young women to explore opportunities within the beauty STEM field.
“At The Science of Beauty, we reimagine how STEM is introduced to young women by focusing on things they already love — like beauty,” says Donaldson, who created the program. “Once a student is engaged in something and excited about it, they’re more likely to stick with it.”
During a recent visit to Rodgers Middle Magnet School, Donaldson worked with students to create their own body scrubs by mixing different ingredients and solutions.
But before the mixing began, the science lesson came first.
Donaldson taught the students about skin and the different layers that make it up. The girls then used microscopes to examine their own skin before applying the scrub they created.
For Audrina McFadden, an eighth grader at Rodgers, the weekly experiments are exciting not only from a learning perspective, but also from an entrepreneurial one.
“It makes me feel better about myself,” she says. “It feels like I’ve opened a new chapter in my life. It also helps me realize that I don’t have to spend a lot of money on big-name skincare products when I can make my own at home.”
Beyond science, Donaldson also uses the program to talk with students about personal care and hygiene — topics that can have a significant impact on a young person’s confidence.
“It’s very important, especially at this age,” Donaldson explains. “Poor hygiene can lead to many negative experiences for young women. It can lead to bullying, ridicule and a lack of self-confidence. The Science of Beauty not only teaches science, but also real-world applications that help young women succeed.”
At Rodgers Middle Magnet, educator Jantasia Johnson is helping take the program even further.
Recognizing the creativity and talent among the students, Johnson encourages them to present their favorite product to school staff members — and then teach the teachers how to make it.
“I think The Science of Beauty is a really great program because many of our girls are mini-entrepreneurs,” Johnson says. “They’re interested in the kinds of things the program touches on. It opens the door for them to see that if they wanted to pursue a career in this field, this could be the start of that journey.”
Donaldson agrees.
“I use beauty because it’s a universal language that so many young women understand and enjoy,” she says. “And we’ve found that when young women are excited about something, they thrive in it.”
To learn more about The Science of Beauty, visit www.TheScienceofBeauty.net.
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Photos taken by Hillsborough County Public Schools as Rodgers Middle Magnet students create their own body scrub through The Science of Beauty.
Originally published in the April 2026 issue of Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine.