Meet Noreen

Known by the brands and audiences that love her as Noreen “The Science Queen”, Noreen Raines a distinguished scientist, educator, speaker, media personality, and entrepreneur, Noreen is perhaps best known as the Founder and CEO of Big Thinkers Science Exploration; an award-winning company that provides educational and entertaining science programs to children of all ages.

Noreen’s own love of science began when she received a microscope for Christmas at just eight years old. Thereafter, her teachers fostered her passion for science and even as African-American and female peers became fewer and farther between, Noreen stayed the course and committed to a career in science. In 2008 Noreen took this passion and founded Big Thinkers Science, a company that specializes in science education for children. Since then, Noreen and her team at Big Thinkers have impacted over 500,000 children through memorable and fun science education workshops and interactive stage shows. By making science fun, Noreen has become the educational and entertainment resource within the state of Georgia.

Noreen, whose name means “light”, is most passionate about being a part of the STEM solution and balancing out the inequality within STEM fields. Noreen Raines’ personal mission is to encourage more children and young women to pursue science and STEM careers and to support the STEM professionals and entrepreneurs who are paving the way for them. Over the years, Noreen has been committed to volunteering and mentoring girls and students of color in an effort to introduce science as a viable career path, and this outreach directly led to the creation of The Beauty and Brains Network, a platform for female professionals in STEM careers who are looking for opportunities to be a part of the solution.

Noreen’s passion for science has landed her expertise on CNN Headline News, VH1, Fox 5 Atlanta, and CBS, and many other media outlets. In 2014 Noreen was honored with the distinction as Mom Entrepreneur of the Year by the Unstoppable Woman Awards.

Prior to the success of Big Thinkers, Noreen graduated with a B.S. degree in Chemistry from Agnes Scott College in Decatur, GA. When not encouraging other scientists and future-entrepreneurs to think big, she continually fosters her own curiosity of life and learning with her four young children affectionately known as “The Raindrops”. As a busy mom-preneur, Noreen understands how challenging exposing children to science at home can be, and started the viral #BigThinkersStartSmall campaign to help parents to find fun and creative ways to nurture their budding scientists.

Noreen is the author of the forthcoming Nerdy Jobs: 50 Careers in Science and Technology that Make It Cool to Be Smart (2015). Known for her dynamic on-stage presentations and status as an engaging entertainer and STEM advocate makes Noreen a sought after public speaker. Noreen is available for keynote presentations, breakout sessions, panels, science demonstrations, career day events, and seminars for events that align with her brand and mission. Noreen seeks to educate, uplift and inspire the world through the power of science one keynote, book, and mentoring session at a time!