On October 15, the Office of the President at Stevens Institute of Technology hosted a screening of Rule Breakers, a powerful documentary celebrating the achievements of women in robotics and the resilience of women in STEM. The event brought together students, faculty, Ph.D. candidates, and staff for a day of conversation, inspiration, and reflection.
The afternoon began in the UCC Gallery Room with a pre-credit conversation led by producer Laura Overdeck, who discussed the making of Rule Breakers and the projects currently taking place within the Stevens community. Overdeck shared how she, an astrophysicist, first connected with the film’s director while taking her documentary filmmaking course at Stanford University “just for fun.” The two stayed in touch, and when the director obtained the rights to tell the story of Afghanistan’s women in robotics, she called Overdeck with what she described as “an amazing script.” Though the director had written numerous documentaries before, this would be her first narrative film — one that powerfully blends real events with cinematic storytelling.
Following the discussion, attendees gathered in Burchard 111 for the screening. The film follows the inspiring journey of young women from Afghanistan who defied cultural and political barriers to pursue robotics, ultimately symbolizing the broader struggle for women’s education and empowerment in science and engineering.
After the screening, a general Q&A invited attendees to share their thoughts and reflections. Many remarked on how the film resonated with their experiences at Stevens, sparking conversations about how far women in STEM have come — and how much more progress is still needed.
The event concluded with a sense of renewed purpose, reminding the Stevens community that inclusion and innovation go hand in hand. Rule Breakers served not only as a celebration of perseverance but also as a call to continue creating spaces where every voice in STEM can be heard and valued.
