Unlocking the Secrets of Super-Powered Science: Discover the Extraordinary World of Innovation

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and real-world science share some similarities, but they also have key differences.

The MCU is all about superheroes, like Iron Man, who use their powers and intellect to fight villains. I remember the first time I watched Iron Man with my mom. He’s a flawed yet brilliant character, always inventing new versions of his suit and working on his arc reactor. While we might not experience alien invasions like he does, we do have real-life scientists who receive plenty of funding and have access to advanced technology. This brings us to an important point: how we portray scientists matters and can shape people’s views.

Another favorite superhero of mine is Spider-Man. There are several versions of him, but they all share a common story: an enthusiastic science geek who gains powers from a radioactive spider bite. While I haven’t met anyone with Spider-Man’s abilities, I’ve come across many students, including myself, who share his passion for science. During my final year at university, I got to explore my creative chemistry ideas in the lab. I experimented with different materials to find the best way to reveal fingerprints, which felt like a thrilling detective adventure.

Let’s talk about Black Panther, particularly the character Shuri. Her presence is important, especially given my limited exposure to Black and minority ethnic scientists in school. Most science texts I read focused on white male scientists. It wasn’t until I saw Hidden Figures that I could name a significant Black female scientist: Katherine Johnson. Shuri, with her wit and wisdom, is empowering. Watching her effortlessly excel in her role felt refreshing and inspiring.

In the MCU, Shuri’s skills were accepted without question. Reflecting on my education, there were few women or minority scientists among the faculty. Still, the ones I encountered were incredibly inspiring, just like Shuri.

Where are the teams of people dressing up as Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier?

Despite the similarities between the MCU and real science, we need to explore why the differences exist and how we can change the narrative.

In the MCU, characters are celebrated in fun ways, like themed parties. Yet, how often do we see scientists portrayed positively beyond the stereotype of boring “nerds”? We can learn a thing or two from the MCU. Just as Iron Man uses the power of infinity stones, scientists should harness the excitement of superheroes to draw connections between them and real-life scientific work.

Want to teach teamwork? Show a scene from The Avengers. Need a lesson on imposter syndrome? Look no further than Spider-Man: Far from Home. To explain elements, you might show Black Panther to discuss vibranium’s properties. Through this approach, we can challenge outdated views of science and celebrate the superheroes in our laboratories.

Introducing the newest hero: The Chemist. (And no, not in the drug dealing sense!)