Future STEM Stars: Inspiring the Next Generation

February 11th marks the International Day of Women and Girls in Science and at Mercedes-Benz.io, we're using this moment to look forward. But instead of retelling the numbers, we asked MB.ioneers across our company two powerful questions:

• What do you wish you had known earlier in your tech journey?
• How do you nurture curiosity and confidence in your kids, especially girls?

Their reflections are personal, practical, and filled with real examples of what we can all do to make tech more inclusive, starting with the conversations we're already having around dinner tables, at bedtime, in our teams' chats.

What I Wish I Had Known Before Starting in Tech

Eduarda Cruz

Bias exists. But it's not yours to carry.

As a woman, it is easy to feel intimidated, to think ‘if I fail, I confirm their bias.’ That pressure is real. But what I wish I had known earlier is: don't be afraid to fail. You're not expected to know everything or act perfectly. You just need to be curious, humble enough to stay open, and have a little trust and faith. And then, maybe you realise you do know how to rock.

Daniela Santos

You don't need to shrink to belong.

Tech doesn't require you to be quieter, tougher, or less emotional. Your voice isn't a disruption, it's a contribution. Confidence doesn't come first, action does. You grow after you speak up, not before. And being thoughtful isn't the opposite of being decisive. Listening, asking ‘why,’ and reflecting before acting, that's leadership.

Vivian Pontes

Mistakes are how you learn. Don't quit too soon.

When I was a child, I didn't know much about tech and I thought working in tech meant knowing everything. What I learned is that it's about being willing to learn every day. The beginning can be hard and sometimes frustrating, but it's worth it. Every curiosity is a door to learning. Don't be afraid to make mistakes, some of the biggest lessons come from them.

Patricia Afonso

Not having all the answers is normal.

I wish I had been told more often that not knowing everything is part of the journey. A career, in tech or outside, evolves over time, and no one has all the answers from day one. You grow by asking questions, learning from others, and staying curious.

Mariana Finkenauer

We get to build, test, and rebuild. That's a gift.

I wish I had known how fortunate we are in tech to work with a constantly evolving set of tools. Unlike fields constrained by physical materials or irreversible processes, we get to experiment freely. That flexibility is powerful even if, sometimes, I miss the emotion or tangibility of physical work.

Frigga Schmidt-Schulze

Openness matters more than background.

I don't come from a tech background, but I've never felt out of place here. The openness of the Mercedes-Benz.io culture stands out. People are approachable, explain their work with patience, and genuinely want you to understand, no matter your role or experience.

How We Encourage Curiosity and Confidence at Home

Eduarda Cruz

Equality starts at home, with role modelling.

I'm a parent to a boy and a girl. And what I've learned is that both need to know it's okay to be strong and to be vulnerable. But the best education doesn't come from what they hear, it comes from what they see. So we try to live the values we want them to carry. That's where equality starts.

Joana Tokarz-Haertig

Follow their curiosity, not your own plan.

Both of my children have unique personalities, and their interests seem to change every few months often before we even notice. So instead of planning specific activities I find valuable, we try to stay curious together. Sometimes I'll bring up a news article about black holes, write silly stories with ChatGPT, or discuss politics in ways they can relate to. My dad used to do this with me, sharing articles out of pure enthusiasm. It's a bit harder now with digital newspapers, but I try to pass that same spark on. Another challenge is managing digital tools so they still have space for creativity, not just passive scrolling. Kids need time to dream big. I always recommend Hidden Potential by Adam Grant, it's full of inspiring stories about people succeeding in unexpected fields, just because someone believed in their possibility.

Daniela Santos

We grow voice before doubt creeps in.

At home, we encourage questions, not perfection. Curiosity is treated as intelligence. We normalise fear, frustration, and uncertainty, they're not weaknesses. They're signals to listen to. We avoid limiting language like ‘you're not good at this.’ We say, ‘you're still learning.’ We give autonomy early. We show real women building and leading, not as exceptions, but as normal outcomes. Above all, we teach: your voice is something you grow into, not something you lose.

Vivian Pontes

Curiosity isn't a phase. It's a foundation.

Take girls' curiosity seriously. Show genuine interest. Encourage it. Never limit their interests with assumptions or labels. Confidence grows when girls feel free to explore, ask, try, without being told what they ‘should’ or ‘shouldn't’ like. Help them understand that determination can take a woman anywhere, even to the moon.

Mariana Finkenauer

Let them be part of the process.

When we're cooking, I don't just have things ready, we do it together. Figuring things out is where the learning happens. I also encourage my daughter to speak up, even if it's awkward or uncomfortable. That voice matters and I want her to know that early.

Frigga Schmidt-Schulze

Give them roots and wings.

Our daughters are 4 and 6, and we already see how giving them both structure and freedom helps them try new things. We let them fix things with us, chop ingredients, and take part in everyday life, even if it's messy. That pride builds confidence that turns into curiosity and the courage to question the world around them. Especially today, when old gender roles are resurfacing, it's more important than ever to empower our daughters. And yes, as Beyoncé said: who run the world?

A Final Word

We believe curiosity is the start of everything, not just in science, but in confidence, identity, and ambition.

It's not just about getting more girls into STEM. It's about creating a world where they don't have to be convinced they belong there.

As Silvia Bechmann reminds us:

At Mercedes‑Benz.io, we don't see STEM as a pipeline problem. We see it as a space for growth and opportunity. The future of technology will not be shaped by those who fit in, but by those who dare to stay curious, speak up, and build differently. Our responsibility is simple: create spaces where girls never question whether they belong, because belonging is the starting point, not the reward.

Until then, we'll keep nurturing curiosity wherever we can, in our codebases, in our classrooms, and around our kitchen tables.