Built on Passion,

Driven by Purpose.

Hi! I’m Ashlyn Standlee, a Biology major and pre-med student at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. I founded Sweets for Science during the fall semester of my freshman year (2025), inspired by my own experiences growing up in a low-income area with limited access to science opportunities. Pursuing higher education and a career in medicine has presented challenges, and I wanted to create a way to make science more approachable and engaging for younger learners.

Sweets for Science aims to help children build confidence in their abilities, explore scientific concepts, and pursue their dreams without fear or self-doubt. Through educational resources such as my coloring book series, this initiative seeks to inspire curiosity and encourage youth to consider careers in science and beyond. Our goal is to make science accessible, enjoyable, and empowering for every child.

Who We Are

Ashlyn Standlee

Founder & Author

The Inspiration

The inspiration for Sweets for Science comes from my little brother Ethan. I’ve had the privilege of watching him grow up, witnessing his curiosity, excitement for learning, and early interest in science. Seeing his eagerness to explore the world around him made me reflect on the opportunities I didn’t have growing up and inspired me to create something that could provide them.

Through this initiative and the Sweets for Science coloring book series, I aim to give him—and other children like him—the resources, confidence, and encouragement to explore science. My hope is that every child can feel prepared, capable, and inspired to pursue their dreams, whether in science or any other field.

Ethan Standlee

From the kitchen to the classroom—baking for a brighter future in science.

What started as a love for baking has grown into a way to give back. Through Sweets for Science, I use homemade baked goods to raise funds that support science education. Each cookie helps contribute to the creation of learning materials designed to inspire curiosity and expand opportunities for young students.