Because leadership begins long before titles exist.
This workbook is for girls who are curious, thoughtful, and learning how to use their voice — especially in spaces where they are not always expected to lead.
It is also for the adults who support them: parents, caregivers, educators, mentors, and communities who want girls to grow with confidence, clarity, and humanity.
What This Workbook Is
Catalyst: A Human‑Centered Leadership Workbook for Girls in STEM is not a textbook.
It is a guided practice space.
A place for girls to:
- understand their emotions
- build self‑trust
- practice speaking up
- explore leadership before pressure and expectations take over
Grounded in emotional intelligence, psychological safety, self‑awareness, and belonging, this workbook introduces leadership as something human — not something to perform.
Who This Workbook Is For
This workbook is designed for:
- Girls interested in STEM, problem‑solving, and curiosity‑driven learning
- Girls navigating confidence, voice, or belonging
- Girls beginning to notice their impact on others
It is also for:
- Parents and caregivers supporting confident, emotionally aware girls
- Educators and mentors working with girls in STEM spaces
- Programs and organizations focused on early leadership development
No prior leadership experience is needed.
Only curiosity and openness.
Leadership at This Age Looks Like Practice
Leadership for girls does not look like authority.
It looks like:
- naming feelings instead of hiding them
- asking questions instead of shrinking
- noticing when something feels unfair
- choosing courage over silence
This workbook supports girls in practicing these moments — gently, safely, and without pressure.
Luna’s Story
Luna did not set out to be a leader.
She did not have a title or a plan.
What she had was awareness — and the courage to practice.
She noticed when silence felt safer than speaking.
She paid attention to how her presence affected others.
She chose clarity over comfort.
Through small, consistent choices, Luna became a Catalyst.
Not because she claimed it.
But because others experienced it.
This workbook exists for moments like hers.
What Girls Will Find Inside
Inside this workbook, girls will explore:
- Human‑centered leadership concepts adapted for young minds
- Emotional awareness exercises and reflections
- Stories and scenarios drawn from real experiences
- Creative prompts, questions, and mini‑challenges
- Simple practices that build confidence, voice, and empathy
The focus is not on achievement.
It is on awareness, courage, and self‑trust.
How to Use This Workbook
There is no right pace.
No pressure to complete everything.
Girls can:
- work independently
- explore sections with a parent, mentor, or educator
- return to pages as they grow and change
This workbook is meant to grow with them.
Grounded in The Catalyst Blueprint™
This workbook is grounded in The Catalyst Blueprint™ — a human‑centered leadership framework adapted to support early leadership development.
The same values apply:
- clarity
- emotional intelligence
- psychological safety
- self‑leadership
Translated for younger voices.
If This Resonates
If you believe leadership can be practiced early — with kindness, courage, and humanity — this workbook is a place to begin.
Explore a Sample Chapter
This sample chapter offers a gentle introduction to how leadership is explored in the workbook — through reflection, curiosity, and emotional awareness.
It is designed to be safe, supportive, and age-appropriate, helping girls practice voice, self-trust, and emotional intelligence without pressure.
About the Author
This workbook was created by Mairim Neves, P.Eng., a mechanical engineer, mentor, and leadership author with more than 24 years of experience working across engineering, project environments, and human systems in Canada and Latin America.
Beyond her professional background, Mairim is deeply committed to supporting girls and young women in STEM — helping them build confidence, emotional intelligence, and a sense of belonging long before leadership feels heavy or performative.
She believes leadership begins early, through self-awareness, voice, and the courage to show up as yourself.
The Catalyst Blueprint™ is a registered trademark in Alberta, Canada.
Mairim Neves 