If you’re a parent with curious, science-loving kids, you know the magic of Emily’s Wonderlab on Netflix. My kiddos are absolutely obsessed! The hands-on experiments, the fun explanations, and Emily Calandrelli’s infectious enthusiasm for STEM make learning an adventure. So when I heard that Emily—aka The Space Gal—had become the 100th woman to fly to space, we were over the moon (pun very much intended)!


But this story gets even cooler (for me at least).


Emily has been inspiring kids for years, and she once sold shirts with empowering STEM messages. This year, she decided to sell her remaining stock, and when she posed in the shirts, some people were just plain rude about it. (What’s up with that?!) That’s when I decided to reach out to her. Emily and I connected, we came up with an idea, and I was able to sprinkle some local Charlotte magic into the mix.

Enter: Kiddo Power + Camp North End


Emily’s shirts were just waiting to be showcased by the next generation of STEM superstars. So, I gathered some of the most adorable, enthusiastic Charlotte kiddos to model her designs. We headed to Camp North End, a spot brimming with creativity and industrial charm, to make it happen.


The shoot was everything I’d hoped for—and more. The kids loved showing off their favorite Space Gal inspired poses, the shirts looked amazing, and the energy was palpable. And when Emily shared the photos, it felt like the perfect culmination of a dream project.

Why This is a 2024 Highlight


Technically, I took these photos at the tail end of 2023, but they were shared this year—and that makes them a 2024 highlight in my book. Not only was it a joy to connect with Emily and see her vision come to life, but it was also a beautiful reminder of why I love capturing moments like this.


These kids are the future. Seeing them beam with pride in Emily’s shirts, knowing that they’re inspired by a woman in the STEM field, was pure magic. So here’s to Emily Calandrelli: 100th woman in space, STEM queen, and all-around amazing human. And here’s to turning what could have been a frustrating moment into something joyful and empowering.


Who knows? Maybe one of these Charlotte kiddos will be in space someday. 💫


Let’s keep cheering for science, dreaming big, and making magic—whether it’s on Earth or beyond the stars. 🚀