Girls Inspired:
STEAM Explorers Italy

A Design & FoodTech Quest to Milan & Parma
October 4–12, 2025 • 9 days
An immersive STEAM adventure for girls aged 10–14
Cohort size: ~15–20 participants
Who We Are
MakerXSpace (Myanmar)
We're a hands-on learning studio dedicated to empowering kids in STEAM through making & real-world problem-solving. Our approach combines technical skills with creative thinking in collaborative environments.
Our international "Girls Inspired" exchanges create transformative experiences for girls that build confidence, skills, and global perspectives.
Our latest exchange in Denmark (April 2025) connected young makers across cultures through collaborative design challenges.
Why this trip
This immersive program addresses a critical gap, offering girls from Myanmar unparalleled access to global STEAM excellence and inspiring them to pursue careers in design, engineering, and innovation.
Hands-On STEAM Immersion
Rare exposure to world-class universities, labs, and studios provides practical experience in cutting-edge science, technology, engineering, art/design, and mathematics.
Igniting Confidence & Ambition
Direct encounters with inspiring role-model mentors foster self-belief and ignite a passion for innovation, empowering girls to envision their future possibilities.
Italy's Innovation Hub
Leveraging Italy's status as a global leader in design, engineering, and food technology offers a unique, enriching environment for learning and discovery.
Why Italy?
Milan: Design Capital
Home to world-renowned design institutes, fashion houses, and innovation labs. Milan seamlessly blends centuries-old craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology, making it the ideal place to explore how tradition meets innovation.
Your daughter will walk the same streets where Leonardo da Vinci sketched his inventions and where today's designers create tomorrow's solutions.
Parma: Food Innovation Hub
UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy and birthplace of Parmigiano-Reggiano and Prosciutto di Parma. Here, ancient food traditions meet modern food science and sustainability practices.
She'll discover how chemistry, biology, and engineering come together to create the foods we love while learning about sustainable food systems for the future.
Program Goals
Our 9-day immersive program, supported by the Italian Embassy in Myanmar, is designed to deliver transformative experiences, focusing on key outcomes for every participant:
Inspire & Empower
Meet real scientists, engineers, designers, and entrepreneurs to ignite a passion for STEAM.
Build Skills
Develop creative problem-solving, prototyping, and collaboration abilities.
Broaden Horizons
Engage in cross-cultural exchange and curated city learning experiences.
Create Artifacts
Document learning and impact through prototypes, journals, and videos.
Grow Network
Forge connections with mentors and partner institutions for ongoing support.
Pillars of the Experience
We aim to create a program built upon six interconnected pillars, ensuring a holistic and enriching STEAM journey for every participant:
Science & Research
Meet researchers, explore cutting-edge labs, and understand how groundbreaking ideas translate into real-world impact.
Technology & Innovation
Dive into the fundamentals of coding, AI, robotics, and product development, fostering a forward-thinking mindset.
Engineering & Making
Engage in hands-on build sessions and rapid prototyping challenges, bringing innovative designs to life.
Art/Design
Discover human-centered design principles, visual storytelling, and the art of creative problem-solving.
Mathematical Thinking
Develop strong reasoning, modeling, and data-informed decision-making skills essential for STEAM fields.
Culture & Citizenship
Immerse in Italy's rich cultural heritage, explore sustainability practices, and cultivate a global mindset.
Hands-On Learning That Builds Real Skills
Campus/Company/Studio Visits
Behind-the-scenes look at operations, missing and values - followed by interactive Q&A sessions.
Design Sprints
Learn the same design thinking process used by top Italian design firms. Work in teams to identify problems, brainstorm solutions, and rapidly prototype ideas.
Hands-on Workshops
Guided make/build session led by experts, directly linked to design, engineering, or food technology.
Peer Exchanges
Connect with Italian students at design institutes and tech labs. Practice language skills while sharing ideas about creativity, innovation, and problem-solving approaches.
Daily Adventures That Inspire
Every day blends structured learning with cultural discovery. Mornings might find your daughter in a high-tech lab analyzing the molecular structure of gelato, while afternoons could see her sketching geometric patterns inspired by the Duomo's Gothic architecture.
Skills That Last a Lifetime
Confidence & Independence
Navigating a new country, communicating in different languages, and solving problems in unfamiliar environments builds unshakeable self-confidence.
Cultural Fluency
Understanding how different cultures approach creativity, work, and life builds the global perspective essential for future success in any field.
Collaboration & Leadership
Working in international teams, leading design projects, and presenting ideas to Italian students develops essential leadership and teamwork skills.
Problem-Solving Mindset
Italian design thinking emphasizes creative solutions to real-world challenges. Your daughter will return with a toolkit for approaching any problem with curiosity and innovation.
Trip Details & What to Expect
When & Where
  • October 4-12, 2025
  • Milan & Parma, Italy
  • 9 days of immersive learning
  • Limited to 20 girls for personalized attention
Who Should Apply
  • Girls aged 10-14
  • Curious about design, technology, and food
  • Enjoys hands-on learning and making
  • Excited about meeting new people and cultures
What's Included
  • All workshops and materials
  • Cultural activities and behind-the-scenes access
  • Accommodation and meals
  • Digital credential upon completion
Our previous Denmark trip in April 2025 was a huge success, with participants reporting increased confidence in STEM subjects and expanded interest in international careers. Read testimonials and see photos from our Denmark adventure to get a sense of the transformative experience awaiting your daughter in Italy.
See the Denmark Report here
Featured Visit: TomaPaint
Imagine turning everyday waste into cutting-edge technology! A groundbreaking company that transforms industrial tomato processing by-products into an innovative bio-resin.
This natural bio-resin is then used to create eco-friendly bio-lacquers for the inside and outside of metal food cans, replacing traditional oil-based coatings. It's a real-world example of how chemistry, engineering, and sustainable practices come together to protect our food and planet.
You'll see how science can lead to incredible innovations that benefit the environment, turning something that would be thrown away into a valuable resource.
Featured Visit: Studio Museo Achille Castiglioni
Step into the brilliant world of Italian design at the Studio Museo Achille Castiglioni in Milan. This unique museum preserves the vast archives of his architectural and industrial design projects, featuring thousands of technical drawings, sketches, and iconic objects.
You'll explore the creative process behind his renowned furniture, lighting, and everyday items. Achille Castiglioni, a celebrated professor, emphasized curiosity and empathy as core to design. As he advised:
"If you are not curious, forget it. If you are not interested in others, what they do and how they act, then being a designer is not the right job for you."
This visit offers a rare glimpse into the mind of a master, inspiring participants to embrace creative problem-solving and understand design's profound impact.
Featured Visit: ADI Design Museum
Immerse yourselves in the rich history of Italian design at the ADI Design Museum in Milan. Opened in 2020, this key institution, part of the influential ADI (Associazione per il Disegno Industriale), is dedicated to preserving and promoting Italy's iconic industrial design.
Our tour will be personally guided by Stefano Casciani, a celebrated designer and writer. Recognized internationally for his profound insights into design culture and recipient of the 2001 ADI Compasso d’Oro Award, Casciani will provide a unique perspective on the masterpieces and narratives within the museum's collection.
Featured Visit: Politecnico di Milano
Step into the historic halls of Politecnico di Milano, one of Italy's leading technical universities. Founded in 1863, it's globally renowned for its exceptional programs in engineering, architecture, and design. This visit will showcase its long-standing tradition of academic and research excellence, offering a glimpse into the cutting-edge innovations and inspiring environments where future STEAM leaders are shaped. It’s an opportunity to see where creativity meets technology.
Featured Visit: University of Parma
Step into the storied halls of the University of Parma, one of Italy's oldest and most prestigious universities, founded in 962 AD. Located in the heart of Parma, this institution has a rich history of academic innovation and excellence.
During this visit, your daughter will gain an appreciation for the depth and breadth of scientific inquiry. We will specifically explore departments that highlight Italy's unique contributions to STEAM, such as the advanced research in Food Science—understanding the chemistry and engineering behind Italy's world-renowned culinary traditions—or cutting-edge programs in Industrial Design and Engineering.
This experience offers a glimpse into higher education and the diverse career paths available in STEAM fields, inspiring girls to consider how academic rigor can lead to groundbreaking discoveries and real-world applications.
Ready to Inspire Your Daughter's Future?
This isn't just a trip—it's an investment in your daughter's confidence, creativity, and global perspective. In just 9 days, she'll gain hands-on experience in design thinking, food science, and cross-cultural collaboration while building friendships with like-minded peers from around the world.
With only 15 spots available, this intimate group size ensures personalized attention and maximum learning opportunities. Our experienced educators and Italian partners are committed to creating a safe, supportive environment where every girl can thrive and discover her potential.
Connect With Us
Ready to empower the next generation of female innovators?
We welcome your questions and interest in becoming a host for the Girls Inspired: STEAM Explorers Italy 2025.
Thiri Thaw
thiri@makerx.space
0940 911 5551
We look forward to collaborating with you to create an unforgettable experience!