American Girl Luciana Vega + 20 Winter STEM Activities for Kids

Meet the 2018 Girl of the Year, American Girl Luciana Vega and how she’s inspiring young girls and boys to reach for the stars… and Mars! Plus check out some of our favorite Winter STEM activities for kids.

We were provided with a Luciana Vega doll for review. All opinions are our own.

I remember the first time Sophia started talking about American Girl dolls. We had randomly received a magazine in the mail and her face looked just like the heart-eyes emoji the entire time she flipped through the magazine.

That was just about 3 years ago and to this day she still looks the same when she looks at an American Girl magazine. I have to admit, I do too. The dolls, the accessories, they’re just all so lovely!

Right now, Moreaya and Sophia both just have 2 American Girl dolls. They each have American Girl Nanea, and have taken her on so many adventures and they each have a Wellie Wishers doll. We have never had a Girl of the Year, but as soon as I saw the announcement of Luciana Vega as the 2018 Girl, I knew she was meant for my Sophia.

Luciana Vega American Girl Doll of the Year 2018

You see, Sophia is quite the little student in 2nd grade. Her favorite subjects are most definitely math and science and they just started a STEM program at her school which she LOVES! And her love of science is nothing new. In fact, she requested a Science Birthday Party at her 5th birthday! And that’s the exact inspiration behind this year’s American Girl of the Year, Luciana Vega.

“We’re proud to introduce fans to American Girl’s 2018 Girl of the Year, Luciana Vega—a champion of STEM and a natural-born leader who puts her whole heart into making her dreams a reality,” says Katy Dickson, president of American Girl. “Luciana is a role model for today’s girls—empowering them to defy stereotypes, and embrace risks that will teach them about failure and success as they chart their own course in life—whatever the goal. For us, it’s all about building girls of strong character, and it’s why we’re continuing to encourage girls to lead change and embrace #charactercounts.”

From the moment Luciana arrived at our house, she’s been by Sophia’s side just about every moment of the day she’s not in school. She is involved in craft activities at home, snack time, and she even enjoyed a girls’ day visit to our local coffee shop with us.

Luciana is wearing the outfit that she comes with in the Girl of the Year box, along with her self titled book, but Sophia loves wearing fake glasses and couldn’t resist picking Luciana up a pair at the store.

American Girl Doll of the Year 2018 Luciana Vega

I feel like teaching my girls that they can absolutely do anything their heart and mind desires is so important and one thing that we talk about very often. When Sophia learned that one of Luciana’s desires is to be the first person to go to Mars, I just saw her little face light up as if she was thinking “Oh my goodness – that IS possible!”

There are two books in Luciana’s storyline available now and one of which follows her journey to Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama.

Girl in NASA jumpsuit with American Girl Luciana Vega

This story line and this picture absolutely gives me chills in the best possible way. I see the dreams, the confidence, and the possibilities in this little girl’s face and I can see them in my own daughter’s face when we talk about Luciana and her story.

I remember visiting Space Camp when I was in the 5th grade and what an impact it made on me and can’t wait to share those adventures with my own girls as they grow.

Be sure to check out American Girl Luciana Vega on their website here and all of her fun STEM-inspired accessories.

But who says you can only have those adventures in Huntsville? You can create special projects and times with your children wherever you are, anytime… even in the cold days of Winter. American Girl Luciana has encouraged us as a family to do more STEM activities at home and I’m sharing with you today some of our favorites!