Letters to a Pre-scientist connects school students from low-income/high-poverty schools with STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) professionals around the world.

As they write to each other, the students learn more about science and different careers, improve their reading, writing and communication skills and gain a broader understanding of the world and different cultures.

And the STEM professionals? They get the joy of sharing their knowledge and being a role model.

I put my hand up to be a pen pal to see more kids from diverse backgrounds having an interest in STEM.

STEM professions have long been dominated by those of higher socioeconomic status. In academia and in science, people like me - first generation academics from working class families - are a bit of an anomaly.

Students from disadvantaged backgrounds are underrepresented in science. Fewer students from these backgrounds choose science subjects in high school, and those that go on to study at university often struggle as their early education has left them ill-prepared. That is, if they can afford to go to university at all.

We like to think that, in science, it is only the quality of people's work that matters.

But in reality, background and socioeconomic status matter a lot.

Letters to a Pre-scientist focuses on schools where 60 per cent or more of students are from low-income families and provides a unique opportunity for students to engage with real people working in scientific fields.

My pen pal isn't quite sold on a career in science yet. She's more interested in fashion and arts. And that's totally fine - I'm not trying to convert her.

What I hope she gets from our interactions is the idea that she can dream big and be successful, whatever her career (although it would be cool if it was STEM!).

Dr Mary McMillan is a lecturer at the School of Science and Technology, University of New England