Women of NASA Lego set idea blasts off with fans
After 1`0,000 votes, toymaker will now consider making kit
With the small steps of a Lego woman, a science writer hopes to make a giant leap for womankind.
Maia Weinstock built a “Women of NASA” Lego kit featuring five pioneering space explorers in the hopes it can be made into a real-life toy.
Weinstock, an advocate for diversity in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), posted her creation to the toymaker’s “Ideas” portal on July 18. In just over two weeks, her project racked up 10,000 supporters, crossing the threshold needed for Lego to officially consider the proposal.
“I’m over the moon that the proposal received so much support in such a short amount of time,” she told the Star in an email. The support speaks to a “real and unmet demand” for toys that honour women’s historic achievements.
Despite the votes, the Danish toy- maker still needs to approve the idea before it becomes a reality. Star Wars- and Jurassic Park- themed kits are currently under review and the company has already produced fanpitched kits modelled on Dr. Who and The Big Bang Theory. A handful of projects reach the review phase every year, said Lego spokesperson Amanda Santoro.
“It’s anywhere between five to 10 that make it each quarter, so it’s always an exciting thing when something can reach the threshold,” she said.
The company evaluates the ideas for feasibility and viability, looking at factors like “build experience,” sticker price, and similarity to existing products. The proposal comes the same month Mattel introduced a line of DC Super Hero Girls dolls.
“Diversity is an issue that needs to keep being hammered home,” Weinstock said. “A lot of people assume that we’re in this state where gender and race are, we’ve already dealt with those issues, but I think we are still dealing with them in a big way.”