About the Film

Recent data from LinkedIn’s millions of platform members shows women are now entering STEM careers (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) in record numbers. Generation Nerd Girl  is an inspirational feature documentary exploring this exciting generational change, the factors that have contributed to that progress, and the efforts necessary to continue toward gender equity. Central are the roles of mentors and educators, media representation of women in STEM, DEI policies at corporations and the government, and the work of numerous support organizations.  We'll examine all this through the lens of one of the bold leaders for change – Dr. Karen Panetta, Dean of Graduate Education for the School of Engineering at Tufts University. Dean Panetta, a winner of the Presidential Award for Excellence in STEM Mentoring, has been a bridge to the change, having taught, mentored and inspired hundreds of young women from all over the world. 

 Generation Nerd Girl will introduce the highly personable Dean Panetta, show the challenges and perseverance it took for her to break through endemic sexism and will explore the teaching and mentoring insights she specifically developed to help open the path to STEM success for young women and girls. We’ll see how she also extended the same techniques and opportunities to BIPOC men who have experienced many of the same challenges as women in STEM. Interviews and archival material will introduce some of the history of Women in STEM and highlight the impact of the changes taking place  on women's  lives and our greater society. Even though there is good news, key industries are still not even at 20% representation for women. We’ll highlight the work underway to eliminate the remaining inclusion challenges. 

• Producer/Director Karen Johnson’s mission for 20+ years has been to elevate women’s stories and women storytellers, specifically challenging the stereotypes of women and girls via the entertainment media. 
• She has produced a number of features with women directors and writers including 2019 Tribeca/Cannes documentary Making Waves: The Art of Cinematic Sound,  with Director/Producer Midge Costin and Producer/Writer Bobette Buster;  2018 Sundance documentary  Kusama: Infinity with Producer/Director/Writer Heather Lenz; and 2005 Toronto documentary Double Dare with Director/Cinematographer Amanda Micheli and Producer Danielle Renfrew. 

• Character-Driven Feature Documentary Explores Why Record Number of Young Women are Entering STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) and Its Impact
• The Roy W. Dean Film Grant -- awarded to a film that is unique and makes a contribution to society  -- was presented to the documentary Generation Nerd Girl by From the Heart Productions. This top-rated non-profit is dedicated to helping indie filmmakers get their films funded and completed, and provides the winner with cash and production services.  Producer/Director Karen Johnson will use the grant to help continue development and production of the film.
•  In addition to the $3,000 in cash provided by From the Heart Productions she will also receive $15,000.00 in original music written by well-known composer David Raiklen, $6,000.00 in animation from Emmy award winner Charlie Canfield, $700 one week DSLR camera package rental from Birns & Sawyer , and more from heart-felt film industry companies and individuals.