Nanogirl Labs—
Inspiring, Educating and Empowering through STEM

We’re on a mission to ensure everyone, everywhere has the opportunity to develop a love of STEM—Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths!

Kids peer into air cannon at science in schools assembly show

About Us

At Nanogirl Labs, we create engaging STEM experiences for children, plus exciting opportunities to learn & explore in a way that inspires lifelong curiosity.


With a team of qualified scientists and expert science communicators, Nanogirl Labs delivers explosive live science shows, theatre shows, teacher PLD training, science birthday parties & more! We create learning environments that match how children learn best—with compelling narrative storylines with accessible, hands-on experiences.

By opening eyes and minds with STEM learning in homes, schools and communities, we seek to inspire and empower tomorrow’s thinkers, creators and innovators!

Social enterprise science for a cause Nanogirl

Nanogirl Labs—A Social Enterprise

Nanogirl Labs exists to inspire and empower through STEM education.


Nanogirl Labs was created by founders, Joe Davis and Dr Michelle Dickinson. Our team, based in Auckland, New Zealand, works to design products and experiences that are both engaging and impactful.

Increasing diversity and inclusion in STEM fields is one of the key outcomes of our work worldwide and we focus on sustainability and accessibility in everything we do.

Buy One, Give One
In everything we do, we make sure that everyone is able to access and enjoy Nanogirl experiences—no matter their circumstance. Through our Buy One, Give One initiative, we reach families who otherwise wouldn’t be able to access our STEM education programmes, enabling them to participate and not get left behind.

Nanogirl scientist experiment

Meet Nanogirl

Originally created by Nanotechnologist and Materials Engineer, Dr Michelle Dickinson, MNZM—Nanogirl™ is a superhero with a difference!


Her superpowers don’t come from alien parents or magicinstead, Nanogirl builds them using the superpowers of STEM!

Nanogirl and her friends use their skills to engineer their way into, and out of, trouble in order to inspire and empower young people around the world to tackle some of the world’s biggest questions.

Awards


Science Film Festival

IPST Education Award
Winner 2019

Prime Ministers Science Award

Science Communication
Award 2014

Women of Influence Award

Science and Innovation
Award 2016

The New Zealand Association of Scientists

Science Communicators
Award 2014

Nanogirl in the News


Fiery birthday party making science fun Headshot

SUNLIVE.CO.NZ

Fiery birthday party making science fun

Tauranga mum Stacey Kemeys (My Kids Lick The Bowl) wows her eight-year-old son with a Nanogirl Indoor Fireworks Birthday Party.

Bangs, fire and smoke rings hook kids on science Headshot

NZHERALD.CO.NZ

Bangs, fire and smoke rings hook kids on science

"How many of you would like to have superpowers?" asked Nanogirl in the Dannevirke South School Hall.

Nanogirl shows off impressive experiments as part of bid to get kids involved in science Headshot

TVNZ.CO.NZ

Nanogirl shows off impressive experiments as part of bid to get kids involved in science

Students at Tainui Primary School in Tokoroa wowed by an exciting science performance by Nanogirl.

Nanogirl wins international science education award Headshot

STUFF.CO.NZ

Nanogirl wins international science education award

Kiwi science programme Nanogirl and the Imaginauts wins international award at the Science Film Festival in Thailand.

Home schooling Kiwi mum-of-five daughters on STEM crusade with Nanogirl Headshot

NZHERALD.CO.NZ

Home schooling Kiwi mum-of-five daughters on STEM crusade with Nanogirl

Whanganui mum Erana Pound (@thecultureofgrace) uses Nanogirl's Lab to engage daughters in educational play.

Nanogirl makes science a super power Headshot

NZHERALD.CO.NZ

Nanogirl makes science a super power

Nanogirl science communicator Dr Kate Sparks captivated a crowd of over 300 Year 8 students with the science of superpowers in Whanganui.

Demand for children's science communicators Headshot

STUFF.CO.NZ

Demand for children's science communicators

2020 threw a spotlight on the importance of science communication. KATE GREEN spoke to women at the heart of discovery, innovation, and education.

Covid-19: Nanogirl explains what should we tell our kids about coronavirus Headshot

STUFF.CO.NZ

Covid-19: Nanogirl explains what should we tell our kids about coronavirus

The original 'Nanogirl', Dr Michelle Dickinson, held regular press conferences with children in the early days of the Covid-19 outbreak to explain what the virus was.

Nanogirl's mission to make STEM more accessible this summer Headshot

STUFF.CO.NZ

Nanogirl's mission to make STEM more accessible this summer

Dr Michelle Dickinson is a pro at getting children excited about science on a shoestring budget.

Our Partners


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Partners-Toyota
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Partners-TSB
Partners-BrightFutureTrust
Partners-Vodaphone
Partners-CancerSociety
Partners-MacDiarmidInstitute
Partners-Timbre
Partners-PlasticsNz

We work globally with partners who share our passion—creating opportunity through STEM.

If you’d like to join us on our mission, please get in touch!


Our Team


Dr. Michelle Dickinson  Headshot

Dr. Michelle Dickinson

FOUNDER, CTO

The original “Nanogirl”, Michelle is a world-renowned educator and communicator. An engineer by training with two decades experience across academia and industry, Michelle leads the technical content, insights and strategy.

Joe Davis Headshot

Joe Davis

FOUNDER, CEO

Joe leads the Nanogirl Labs team worldwide, and many of our key consulting projects. Joe has extensive experience across both commerical and non-profit leadership, innovation, strategy and transformation.

Gareth Baston  Headshot

Gareth Baston

GLOBAL PRODUCTION & PROGRAMMING MANAGER

Gareth manages our Nanogirl Live! theatre education programmes worldwide, and leads production management & health and safety across the company.

Tammy Rush Headshot

Tammy Rush

LEAD PRESENTER

Tammy has almost a decade of experience bringing science to kids as “Tornado Tammy.” Her expertise creating engaging, science-filled birthday parties and special events makes Tammy a key member of the Nanogirl birthday parties team.

Anna Taylor  Headshot

Anna Taylor

EDUCATION BUSINESS LEAD

Along with 20 years of teaching experience, Anna also specialises in Design and Digital Technology. She’s focused on delivering Nanogirl educational experiences and resources that will revolutionise the future of STEM education in New Zealand. Anna is passionate about building trusted relationships with organisations, kura and educators.

Lizelle Alberts Headshot

Lizelle Alberts

COMPANY ACCOUNTANT

With a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and 20 years of hands-on experience in the field, Lizelle excels at making sense of the budgets, cash flows and counting the beans.

Georgia Paterson Headshot

Georgia Paterson

PRESENTER OPERATIONS COORDINATOR

Georgia earned her BA in Business Admin and Management from the Eastern Institute of Technology. She hails from Hawke’s Bay and joins the team with fresh perspectives and keen enthusiasm for the world of Marketing and PR.

Amina Daud Headshot

Amina Daud

PRESENTER OPERATIONS COORDINATOR

“Amino” Amina brings years of experience from an operational perspective ensuring its smooth running while developing and enhancing relationships with Nanogirl presenters and its customers.

Debbie Lovegrove  Headshot

Debbie Lovegrove

SCIENCE COMMUNICATOR

Debbie, a Palaeontologist, has years of experience working as an environmental geologist and in environmental education and awareness. "Debbiesaurus" works with the Nanogirl team, helping bring explosive, live science and engineering to people all across New Zealand.

Arisa Parr-Whalley Headshot

Arisa Parr-Whalley

SCIENCE COMMUNICATOR

Arisa is pursuing a conjoint BA/BSc majoring in Linguistics and Physics. She is a multitalented scientist, who is also an aviatrix (flying Cessna 172s) and a netball coach and umpire.

Rosie Carr-Smith Headshot

Rosie Carr-Smith

SCIENCE COMMUNICATOR

A medical student at the University of Otago in Wellington, Rosie is passionate and knowledgeable about medicine and health science, and bringing science to life for children as a Nanogirl science communicator.

Te Rauhiringa Brown Headshot

Te Rauhiringa Brown

CONTENT CREATOR & PRESENTER

With extensive writing, acting and performing skills and fluency in Te Reo Māori, Krystal-Lee heads up our cultural advisory and content team for our bilingual engagements including our live bilingual science touring show Mātātoa.

Averill Moser-Rust Headshot

Averill Moser-Rust

SCIENCE COMMUNICATOR

Averill, "Spider Girl", is pursuing her PhD in Animal Behaviour from the University of Canterbury, specialising in jumping spiders.

Caitlin Meynell Headshot

Caitlin Meynell

SCIENCE COMMUNICATOR

Caitlin has her Bachelor of Biomedical Science majoring in Genetics and minoring in Chemistry and Molecular Pathology. She has a passion for the outdoors and loves working with children to open up the world of science!

Caoimhe Lane Headshot

Caoimhe Lane

SCIENCE COMMUNICATOR

Caoimhe, "Quantum Keeva", is completing a conjoint BSc/BA in Physics and Music at the University of Auckland.

Jessica Bishop  Headshot

Jessica Bishop

SCIENCE COMMUNICATOR

Jess, "Stingray J", is in her final year studying marine biology and ecology and biodiversity at Victoria. She is passionate about educating young people on the importance of caring for our Papatūānuku, and sparking their interest in all things science! 

Mikayla Miskelly Headshot

Mikayla Miskelly

SCIENCE COMMUNICATOR

If you ask Mikayla why she became interested in science she would tell you “So I can make things blow up and change colours.” Mikayla is currently studying for her Master of Science (Chemistry) at the University of Auckland.

Janey Gibbons Headshot

Janey Gibbons

SCIENCE COMMUNICATOR

Janey "Aqua Girl" is currently studying Environmental Science, majoring in freshwater ecology at the University of Canterbury. She loves being outdoors, researching and learning about New Zealand's unique natural environment. Her ultimate goal is to ignite the same passion for science in young people!

Hazel Fairweather Headshot

Hazel Fairweather

SCIENCE COMMUNICATOR

Hazel, "Nature Girl" is in her final year studying Environmental Science and Psychology at the University of Canterbury. She is passionate about inspiring kids to fall in love with the natural world like she has, and encouraging them to build their science superpowers!

Mallory Champion Headshot

Mallory Champion

SCIENCE COMMUNICATOR

Mallory has a Bachelor of Science majoring in Biomedical Science and is currently studying a postgraduate qualification. In her spare time she is involved in community theatre and she uses her love of both science and performance to enthusiastically educate kids about science!

Charlotte Jewell Headshot

Charlotte Jewell

SCIENCE COMMUNICATOR

Charlotte has completed her Bachelor of Science majoring in Ecology and Biodiversity and minoring in Psychology. Along with spending time in Aotearoa’s beautiful natural environment, she is passionate about introducing the wonderful world of science to young people and fostering inquisitive minds.