revolution is taking place, slowly and silently, amidst the chaotic energy of science enthusiasts, curious children and fascinating inventions. Initiated in 2017 by Dr Saadat Anwar Siddiqi, founding president of the Khwarizmi Science Society, Lahore Science Mela was the outcome of 22 years of dedicated efforts that has now transformed into a training hub for science communicators of the new generation.

The Mela has been famous for bringing together young volunteers from all STEM fields. Latest data suggests that it is catalysing an even more profound change; it has become an incubator for female leadership in a country with a large STEM gender gap.

Empowering female leaders

The LSMs have not only persuaded the community to appreciate the benefits of science, they have also become one of the largest annual crash courses in female leadership training.

Traditionally, only the most vocal and passionate-about-their-fields volunteer public roles. Only about 52.6 percent of female participants said they felt confident about leading large teams. However, these figures shifted dramatically after the mela. A survey taken after the LSM 2025 to gauge its impact on nurturing leadership revealed some startling facts.

Many female participants said that training for and participating in the LSM allowed them to get out of their comfort zone and learn what they were capable of. One volunteer said, “interacting with hundreds of visitors, guiding them and explaining our experiments helped me trust my own voice. I found myself taking charge naturally, solving small problems on the spot and supporting my team.”

89.5 percent female volunteers said they felt confident in their ability to lead a team after the LSM, indicating a 36.9 percent increase.

The gain was not limited to leadership. A similar improvement was reported in public speaking ability. As Jerry Seinfeld, an American comedian has said: “According to many studies, people’s number one fear is public speaking. Number two is death... Does that sound right? This means to the average person, if you go to a funeral, you’re better off in the casket than doing the eulogy.”

Remarkably, while only 52 percent of the volunteers felt confident in their public speaking abilities before the fair, the number rose to 100 per cent after being mentored by the KSS team and two days at the mela. “I thought public speaking was not for me. I hated the word ‘presentation’,” said one volunteer. “But after LSM, I’m confident I can put my point across. Interacting with hundreds of visitors... made me trust my own voice.”

Another female demonstrator said, “I had never left my university alone since I’m a hostel student. Coming to LSM workshops and preparations gave me confidence and courage.” Another volunteer said, “During the mela, I had the opportunity to engage with more than 50 people at once, making sure that each person felt seen and included.”

This is not only a testament to the untapped potential of Pakistan’s female science enthusiasts, but also a marker of positive change and shifts in perceptions of science. 

The accord between theory and practice not only shows the participants that they are capable of high achievement, but also instills in them the curiosity to keep exploring what they are capable. Another volunteer said, “Participating in LSM completely changed my perspective — it gave me the courage to take independent decisions and pursue my ideas without over-thinking.”

A model for equity

The KSS prides itself in not having a hierarchical approach to workplace, offering gender-neutral training and equity. Unlike some other workshops that segregate students by gender, experience and age, the LSM throws volunteers into the deep end, forcing them to adapt in the face of challenges. All teams of volunteers—ranging from university students to teenagers—get appropriate mentors for their development. They are then involved in making decisions ranging from marketing and fundraising to logistics.

For many female volunteers, this environment is a rare experience. Here they are allowed to think independently, collaborate and work with their peers to develop solutions without a reminder about their gender.

“If it was the logistics team, female volunteers were there taking care of the facilities; I did that myself,” said a volunteer. “There was nobody to say, ‘No, you go do something else, this is a boys’ job.’ Everyone was treated the same.”

Other volunteers said that the team created a positive atmosphere. “My ideas were listened to. I never felt judged or overlooked because of my gender,” said one.

One of them said, “I visited Crescent Model School every weekend. There, I discussed ideas with my mentors and held discussions with them. This helped me brainstorm more about presenting my demonstration to the public and clarify the concepts relevant to my experiment.”

A gender-respectful environment is crucial for women to feel empowered and pursue ideas with the comfort of knowing that they will be listened to and have the space to make mistakes, re-learn, and develop something on their own.

All volunteers in the mela have unique roles. They not only get to closely observe their mentors and shadow their perceived role models in their fields, but also act as a bridge by becoming mentors for the dreamers who come to be inspired at the melas, bringing this cycle of teaching and learning full circle.

The mela also serves as a crash course in quick thinking, ensuring crowd engagement, adapting and solving unanticipated problems. A volunteer recalled, “Demonstrating scientific concepts required me to think on my feet, manage time effectively and respond calmly to unexpected questions or challenges.”

Outcomes

The impact of the melas has been far-reaching and diverse: from inspiring crowds of children and adults to see science with wonder to instilling hope in the youth.

In a decade marked by instability, maintaining optimism was always going to be a struggle. The KSS survey revealed that while 85 percent of female volunteers were self-motivated, nearly 40 percent initially doubted that their efforts could bring about real societal change. But post-mela, 100 per cent of the female volunteers reported feeling hopeful about their ability to make a difference.

“The positive response of the audience and their appreciation for my work… lifted my spirits. Now I am confident that I can stir and lead positive change,” said one volunteer.

This is not only a testament to the untapped potential of Pakistan’s female science enthusiasts but is also a marker of positive change and potential shifts in perceptions of science across the youth.

The writer is a PhD scholar at Worcester Polytechnic institute in Molecular and Cellular Biology can be reached at The writer is a PhD candidate at Worcester Polytechnic institute, studying molecular and cellular biology. She can be reached at [email protected]