Science, slowly.
One letter at a time.
The Stardust Collective is a monthly science postcard for children: one idea in physics, one letter from my life as a scientist, and an invitation to write back.
It is not a science kit. Mostly, it is words, pictures, questions, and time to think.
Three parts, every month.
The writing is the centre of the project.
One topic in physics
A grand idea in physics, connected to something a child can recognise in their own world.
The person behind it
My work, books, conferences, mistakes, and the many ways people find their way into science.
The replies
Questions, drawings, school stories or scepticism. I read them and reply personally.
Children need time to sit with an idea.
Most of my friends are physicists. We learned some physics from reading, a lot from sitting with an idea alone, and a great deal from having someone to talk to about what we had just discovered.
Every part of The Stardust Collective is intentional. There is no extra bling to hold a child's attention. I want the card to stay around, go on a wall, be read again, and become familiar.
A year in three scales
The full journey lasts a year, in three four-month parts. There is no year-long commitment. You can stop at any time; I simply recommend trying one complete four-month part.
The Universe at large scale
Big Bang, first light, stars, galaxies, and the structure of the cosmos.
The Universe at small scale
Atoms, particles, and the tiny building blocks of everything around us.
The forces between them
The fundamental forces that connect the very large and the very small.
The essential part: they can write back.
A science question, a drawing, a reaction to the last card, or something they noticed at school — all of it is welcome.
Parents sometimes tell me about birthdays, new interests, or places they have visited. I keep those things in mind. Children notice when the mail is really meant for them.
It can be written, drawn, or dictated to a parent.
About 50 families at a time.
A new cohort opens roughly every four months. Around 50 families begin the same sequence together, even if they live in different countries.
I keep it small so I can read the replies, remember the children, and write back myself.
Hi, I'm Niveditha.
I’m a physicist at CERN and CNRS, working within the French Ministry of Research and Higher Education. I studied in Oman and India through my undergraduate degree, then moved to the US for my master’s and PhD. I now live and work in France.
For about a decade I have worked on bringing more people into science, especially people who are underrepresented — through classrooms, astronomy visits, hands-on projects and science outreach. The Stardust Collective grew from that same place. It is the newest version of outreach I am trying.
I'm also a mum to boy-girl twins. They are still a little young for these cards. When I write, I often have my niece and nephew in mind — basically my first children — old enough to read, argue with me, wonder, and ask a question I did not expect.
I want science to feel human, serious, surprising, and open to questions.
Some The Stardust Collective artwork is also sold as postcards at the CERN gift shop.
Join for as long as it is useful to your child.
The full story lasts twelve months, but you can stop at any time. I recommend trying one complete four-month series.
Cards are posted from France or Switzerland, near CERN, to Europe, the UK, the US and Canada. I am happy to try other countries too.
If a card goes missing, I will try sending it again. If delivery repeatedly fails, we may have to discontinue.
A monthly subscription
That includes the science postcard, my letter, postage, and the write-back conversation.
Cancel whenever you like. If you can, try one complete four-month series.
Available in English and French.
Is this a science kit?
No. The Stardust Collective is a reading and conversation project, not a box of activities. A small paper extra may occasionally appear.
What age is it for?
It is written primarily for children aged 5–12, but anyone can join. I have a few children who are slightly older and a couple who are younger, because their parents felt the project would suit them. Adults are welcome too — the writing is simply designed to be accessible to children in that 5–12 range.
Does my child have to write back?
No. It is an invitation, never homework.
Where do you ship?
Europe, the UK, the US and Canada are regular destinations. I can try elsewhere. If delivery repeatedly fails, I may need to stop that subscription.
Why cohorts?
They keep the project personal. About 50 families move through the same sequence, so I can follow the conversations and write back myself.
Stay curious, my little piece of the universe.