By Amy Cowen
on February 28, 2022 6:00 AM
March is Womens History Month! Find out more about ladies in science history and get motivated by these 50+ engineers and researchers!
Update! This post has actually been upgraded for 2022 to highlight extra researchers and engineers!
We hope seeing lists like this (and the related lists for Black History Month and Hispanic Heritage Month) broadens awareness and helps motivate trainees to get more information about these researchers and to explore related science jobs, professions, and activities.
How to Use this Resource
For each researcher, we have actually included a brief biographical note, a link to a hands-on science job or activity associated to the scientists area of research study, a link to an appropriate science profession profile, and a link to a bio to assist students find out more about specific scientists. Educators can utilize this profession worksheet to guide trainee expedition and reflection about STEM professions.
There have actually constantly been ladies in science. Whether recognized at the time or not, females thinking about science and engineering have actually made crucial discoveries, performed game-changing research, and pursued professions in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Uncovering and sharing these stories and encouraging girls to see themselves as future scientists is necessary, ongoing work for science teachers.
There are, naturally, far a lot of females in science history to place on a single list, however the more scientists you and your trainees understand about, the much better! This resource can be utilized throughout Womens History Month and year-round to commemorate, recognize, and talk about inspiring ladies in science. We motivate educators to combine finding out more about females in STEM with trainee reflection on individual interests and possible profession paths, too.
Females in Science and Engineering
14. Martha Coston, chemist
Martha Coston
utilized the technology of fireworks to establish a pyrotechnic signaling system for usage at sea. Coston flares were utilized by the U.S. Navy throughout the Civil War. (Biography).
Experiment with the Rainbow Fire Science Project task.
Career connection: Chemical Engineer.
17. Sylvia Earle, marine biologist and oceanographer.
Sylvia Earle is a marine biologist and oceanographer dedicated to ocean conservation. Sometimes referred to as the “Sturgeon General,” Earle is founder of Mission Blue and has been a National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence given that 1999. (Biography).
Try out the Somethings Fishy About That Fertilizer project.
Profession connection: Marine Biologist.
19. Thelma Estrin, biomedical engineer.
Thelma Estrin helped develop Israels very first computer, the WEIZAC, in 1954. Her later research study consisted of transforming analog electroencephalogram signals to digital signals and mapping the human brain using computer systems. (Biography).
Explore the Make a Heart Rate Monitor project.
Profession connection: Biomedical Engineer.
20. Irene Fischer, mathematician.
Irene Fischer was a mathematician whose work in geodesy included advancement of the Mercury Datum and research study on lunar parallax utilized during Apollo missions. Her work added to what is now the World Geodetic System used by GPS innovation.
( Biography).
Experiment with the A Puzzling Parallax job.
Career connection: Mathematician.
21. Rosalind Franklin, chemist and crystallographer.
Rosalind Franklin was a chemist and crystallographer whose X-ray diffraction of images assisted reveal the double-helix structure of DNA. (Biography).
Experiment with the Colorful Double Helix, A Gene-ius Activity experiment.
Career connection: Chemist.
27. Dorothy Hodgkin, chemist.
Dorothy Hodgkin developed protein crystallography and utilized x-ray crystallography to recognize or verify the 3-dimensional molecular structure of penicillin, vitamin B-12, and insulin. She won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1964. (Biography).
Try out the Foldit: Playing a Game While Solving Protein Structures job.
Career connection: Chemist.
28. Helia Bravo Hollis, biologist and botanist.
Helia Bravo Hollis was a biologist and botanist whose research concentrated on the collection and classification of cacti in Mexico.
( Biography).
Try out the Dissect a Flower activity.
Career connection: Plant Scientist.
30. Grace Hopper, computer scientist.
Grace Hopper was among the first computer programmers and worked on military estimations using the IBM Automatic Sequence Controlled Calculator (the MARK I) throughout World War II. While dealing with the Universal Automatic Computer (UNIVAC I), she developed the first computer system compiler, A-0, to immediately translate programs directions into machine-readable code. Hopper was important in the design and advancement of “common business-oriented language” (COBOL), a machine-independent computer system programming language widely used in the late 1900s. Hopper retired from the U.S. Navy as a rear admiral.
( Biography).
Try out the Artificial Intelligence: Teaching the Computer to Play Tic-Tac-Toe and.
Crack the Code: Breaking a Caesar Cipher.
projects.
Profession connections: Computer Programmer and Computer Software Engineer.
34. Stephanie Louise Kwolek, chemist.
Stephanie Louise Kwolek created Kevlar while operating at DuPont to develop incredibly durable synthetic fibers. Kevlar is used in lots of items, consisting of bulletproof vests. (Biography).
Experiment with the Turn Milk into Plastic! task.
Profession connection: Materials Scientist and Engineer.
41. Susana López Charretón, virologist.
Susana López Charretón is a virologist whose research study on rotavirus determined the ways in which it enters the body (different from the methods it is frequently transmitted).
( Biography).
Try out the How Do Viruses React To Soap? activity.
Career connection: Microbiologist.
55. Dorothy Vaughan, computer system scientist and mathematician.
Dorothy Vaughan was a computer scientist and mathematician. She became part of the group of “human computer systems” depicted in the Hidden Figures motion picture. As NASA embraced using computers, Vaughan taught herself FORTRAN and entered into NASAs Analysis and Computation Division (ACD). She also dealt with the Scout Launch Vehicle Program.
( Biography).
Explore the Computer Sleuth: Identification by Text Analysis task.
Profession connection: Computer Programmer.
57. Mary Walton, mechanical engineer.
Mary Walton utilized a model train system to model and establish solutions for minimizing sound pollution related to trains and air pollution associated to trains and structures with chimneys. (Biography).
Experiment with the Materials for Sound Barriers task.
Profession connection: Mechanical Engineer.
Joan Procter, Dragon Doctor: The Woman Who Loved Reptiles.
What Miss Mitchell Saw.
Who Was Sally Ride?
Wood, Wire, Wings: Emma Lilian Todd Invents an Airplane.
The Stuff Between destiny: How Vera Rubin Discovered Most of the Universe.
The Watcher: Jane Goodalls Life with the Chimps.
The World Is Not a Rectangle: A Portrait of Architect Zaha Hadid.
There are, of course, far too numerous females in science history to put on a single list, however the more researchers you and your students know about, the better! Grace Hopper was one of the very first computer system developers and worked on military computations using the IBM Automatic Sequence Controlled Calculator (the MARK I) during World War II. While working on the Universal Automatic Computer (UNIVAC I), she established the very first computer system compiler, A-0, to immediately translate programs directions into machine-readable code. Dorothy Vaughan was a computer system researcher and mathematician.
ladies,.
African American,.
Asian American Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander,.
Hispanic, and.
Native American scientists and engineers,.
scientists with disabilities,.
Preschool/Elementary School.
Patricias Vision: The Doctor Who Saved Sight.
Queen of Physics: How Wu Chien Shiung Helped Unlock the Secrets of the Atom.
Rachel Carson and Her Book That Changed the World.
Uncovering and sharing these stories and encouraging ladies to see themselves as future scientists is essential, ongoing work for science educators.
Top of The Class: The Story of Marjorie Lee Browne.
Secrets of the Sea: The Story of Jeanne Power, Revolutionary Marine Scientist.
Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Oceans Most Fearless Scientist.
She Caught the Light: Williamina Stevens Fleming: Astronomer.
Resolving the Puzzle Under the Sea: Marie Tharp Maps the Ocean Floor.
Spring After Spring: How Rachel Carson Inspired the Environmental Movement.
Swimming with Sharks: The Daring Discoveries of Eugenie Clark.
The Astronaut With a Song for the Stars: The Story of Dr. Ellen Ochoa.
The Doctor with an Eye for Eyes: The Story of Dr. Patricia Bath.
The Girl With a Mind for Math: The Story of Raye Montague.
The Leaf Detective: How Margaret Lowman Uncovered Secrets in the Rainforest.
The Story of Marie Curie: A Biography Book for New Readers.
Grades 5+/ Middle School.
You Might Also Enjoy These Related Posts:.
The Girl Who Could Rock the Moon – An Inspirational Tale about Mary G. Ross and the Magic of STEM.
The Girl Who Named Pluto: The Story of Venetia Burney.
The Girl Who Thought in Pictures: The Story of Dr. Temple Grandin.
Me … Jane.
Numbers in Motion: Sophie Kowalevski, Queen of Mathematics.
Ocean Speaks: How Marie Tharp Revealed the Oceans Biggest Secret.
and other scientists from all over the world.
For additional STEM reading tips, see our STEM reading list.
Images: public domain or reasonable usage, with exception of: June Almeida (credit: Joyce Almeida).
Linda Buck (CC BY-SA 3.0; The Royal Society).
Emmanuelle Charpentier (CC BY-SA 4, Emmanuelle Charpentier).
Jennifer Doudna (CC BY-SA 3, The Royal Society).
Gertrude Elion (CC BY-SA 4.0; GSK Heritage Archives) Thelma Estrin (CC BY-SA 3.0; User: Achituv) Irene Fischer (CC BY-SA; Digital Commonwealth Massachusetts Collections Online) Biruté Galdikas (CC BY-A 2.0).
Andrea Ghez (credit John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation).
Jane Goodall (GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2; Muhammad Mahdi Karim) Stephanie Louise Kwolek (CC BY-SA 3.0; Science History Institute) Esther Lederberg (The Esther M. Zimmer Lederberg Trust) Inge Lehmann (CC BY-SA 4; The Royal Library, National Library of Denmark and University of Copenhagen University Library) Sara Seager (CC BY-SA 3.0; Science History Institute).
Mae Among the Stars.
Margaret and the Moon Hardcover.
Maria Mitchell: The Soul of an Astronomer.
Maria Sibylla Merian: Artist, Scientist, Adventurer.
Mary Annings Curiosity.
Diversity in STEM.
To help trainees see themselves with a future in STEM and to expand understanding of science history, it is necessary for trainees to discover a diverse variety of scientists and engineers. This includes commemorating the stories of.
High School/Adult.
Even more Reading.
A Computer Called Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Helped Put America on the Moon.
Ada: My First Ada Lovelace (Little People, Big Dreams series).
Always Looking Up: Nancy Grace Roman, Astronomer.
Born Curious: 20 Girls Who Grew Up to Be Awesome Scientists.
Carolines Comets: A True Story.
Computer Decoder: Dorothy Vaughan, Computer Scientist.
Depending on Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Saved Apollo 13.
Dinosaur Lady: The Daring Discoveries of Mary Anning, the First Paleontologist.
Evelyn the Adventurous Entomologist.
Daily Superheroes: Women in STEM Careers.
Fossil Huntress: Mary Leakey, Paleontologist.
Grace Hopper: Queen of Computer Code.
Hedy Lamarrs Double Life: Hollywood Legend and Brilliant Inventor.
Human Computer: Mary Jackson, Engineer.
June Almeida, Virus Detective!: The Woman Who Discovered the First Human Coronavirus.
Life in the Ocean: The Story of Oceanographer Sylvia Earle.
Look Up!: Henrietta Leavitt, Pioneering Woman Astronomer.