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It鈥檚 understandable that people might look at Marvel鈥檚 Ironheart, played by Dominique Thorne, and automatically think of Iron Man, and Robert Downey Jr.鈥檚 iconic performances in the role.

The new Disney+ streaming show centers around Riri Williams, a child prodigy who enrolls at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology at age 15. She draws the attention of Tony Stark/Iron Man after she builds her own tech-enhanced suit.

But just like how the arc reactor, the energy source that powers Iron Man鈥檚 suit, is 鈥減roof that Tony Stark has a heart,鈥� the presence of Ironheart and tech-savvy characters of that ilk proves that representation in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) on-screen is viable and necessary.

鈥淐haracters like her spark interest in STEM and help young people visualize themselves in those roles,鈥� explains Chanda Jefferson, the director of community engagement and outreach at the University of Pennsylvania鈥檚 School of Engineering and Applied Science, in an online interview. 鈥淲hile fictional, she plays a very real role in shaping aspirations and showing that STEM can be exciting, empowering, and inclusive.鈥�

The first three episodes of the six-part 鈥淚ronheart鈥� miniseries debut June 24, and the energy surrounding the character is palpable. Ms. Thorne recently appeared at two prominent Atlanta-based institutions 鈥� Spelman College and the Ron Clark Academy, a middle school 鈥� to promote the series and the importance of STEM. A recent Instagram reel of Ms. Thorne walking through a crowd of excited students and staff at Ron Clark quickly went viral. During a dialogue at Spelman, the actor explained how she stands on the shoulders of giants.

鈥淚 strongly believe that I only have this opportunity because of other women who look like me who stepped on screen, behind camera, when they weren鈥檛 expected to succeed,鈥� said Ms. Thorne at an event hosted by Spelman and the Black Women Film Network. 鈥淣ot only did they succeed, but they raised the standard of what should be expected. ... Me playing this character really just feels like a continuation of that same work.鈥�

When Ms. Thorne danced amid the young people, with her hair adorned in beautiful Bantu knots, she almost looked like Marvel鈥檚 Shuri, who is the sister of T鈥機halla, the king of Wakanda, and who later became Black Panther. Ms. Thorne鈥檚 appearance was particularly profound, considering that she had initially auditioned to play the role of Shuri, which went to Letitia Wright. Part of Ms. Thorne鈥檚 audition included an opportunity to work with the late Chadwick Boseman, who played T鈥機halla in the first 鈥淏lack Panther鈥� film.

Perhaps that鈥檚 why the chemistry between Shuri and Riri in the 2022 film 鈥淏lack Panther: Wakanda Forever鈥� was so magnetic. Ms. Thorne quickly stole scenes in the film as the tech wunderkind who ultimately became the focal point of an international conflict.

鈥淚ronheart鈥� picks up after the events of 鈥淲akanda Forever,鈥� and one of the promotional trailers starts off, fittingly enough, with a test of her physical strength and intellectual mettle. After successfully overcoming the challenge, Riri receives an invitation from Parker Robbins, a benefactor who offers to help the genius inventor build something 鈥渋conic.鈥� However, if Marvel鈥檚 history is any indication, Ironheart just might find herself making a deal with the devil.

In some ways, the show provides an interesting juxtaposition between the rigors of STEM fields and notions of Black Girl Magic, a concept that notes the beauty and resilience of Black people.

The shift from representation in media to representation in the workforce is still an upward climb. The National Society of Black Engineers is celebrating its 50th year and continues to be a beacon for advocacy and research. As of 2021, only 4.7% of bachelor鈥檚 degrees awarded in engineering went to African American students, according to NSBE data, compared with over 13% to Hispanic students, over 15% to Asian American students, and 58% to white students.

The solution to closing that gap might be to make the challenges of STEM students relatable, which 鈥淚ronheart鈥� executive producer Ryan Coogler recently described. While Riri/Ironheart debuted in Marvel Comics back in 2016, Mr. Coogler directed the character鈥檚 on-screen debut in 鈥淲akanda Forever.鈥�

鈥淚 related to it personally,鈥� he聽explained in a recent Marvel.com interview. 鈥淚鈥檝e been that kid in a college dorm room in a town different from the town I came up in, trying to make a name for myself.鈥�

University of Pennsylvania鈥檚 Ms. Jefferson, who was named South Carolina鈥檚 2020 Teacher of the Year, sees the value in helping young people make those connections.

鈥淪cience isn鈥檛 just a subject. It鈥檚 a tool for students to understand the world and tackle real challenges in their communities,鈥� she says. 鈥淲hen they see STEM that way, it becomes personal and a powerful part of their future.鈥�