Izzy Lapidus is a junior at Barnard College of Columbia University majoring in Computing, Design, and Pedagogy—a special major she created. At Barnard, Izzy works as a Senior STEAM Student Educational Experience Designer (SEED) in the Office of Community Engagement and Inclusion. She also works as a Barnard Student Admissions Representative (BSAR) and Social Media BSAR in the Office of Admissions. This summer, Izzy worked as Barnard’s Athena Center for Leadership Entrepreneurship Intern, where she organized and hosted the 2nd annual Barnard Startup Summit. Outside of Barnard, she does content and community work with Kode With Klossy—a computer science education nonprofit for girls, gender non-conforming, and trans students—and emceed an event this summer with Karlie Kloss and Tim Cook. She’s passionate about re-imagining computer science and STEAM education through the design of inclusive, life-affirming, and community-centered learning environments, tools, and communities. 💫

Izzy has been re-imagining approaches to STEAM education since she was 17 years old. Her work ranges from events…and projects…

• Elementary School’s STEM day Astronomy workshop…
• Organizing the International Day of Women and Girls in Science day (#womeninstemday) at her high school…
• Designing #STEMtivities for elementary schoolers to explore STEAM from their homes during the COVID-19 pandemic…
• Publishing an article on the importance of the February 11th…
• Pi Day 2021 Campaign with Miranda Cosgrove…
• Creating her own line of beaded bracelets to celebrate how #swag it is to pursue STEM
• Interviewed Karlie Kloss on the intersection of tech and beauty…
• Amplified the work of 100 women and nonbinary icons in STEM through her 100DIGITS Pi Day 2022 campaign…
• Speaking about her experience pursuing STEM at Barnard’s Annual Gala…
• Organizing and emceeing the Barnard Startup Summit
• STEM fest…
• Emceeing Apple x KWK event with Karlie Kloss and Tim Cook…
• Barnard Math Olympics…
• Hour of Code event at Barnard…

Izzy “SQUIZ” Lapidus is a junior at Barnard College of Columbia University majoring in Computing, Design, and Pedagogy—a special major she created to pursue her passion for re-imagining computer science education. Izzy has been advocating for a more inclusive, diverse, and equitable STEM community since she was 17 years old. She is committed to building confidence and belief in students of all backgrounds that they are wanted and needed in the STEM community.

Izzy has chosen to pursue computer science education because she believes the inequities in CS education are representative of those present in STEM education and all types of education at large. She strives to build, design, and curate STEAM learning experiences, tools, and communities that uplift students’ unique identities and experiences. She engages in this work at Barnard’s Office of Community Engagement and Inclusion (CEI) through her role as a Senior STEAM Student Educational Experience Designer in CEI’s STEAM in the City Program.