By Amy Cowen
on February 24, 2023 10:00 AM
March is Womens History Month! Discover more about ladies in STEM in science history and get inspired! More than 60 profiles of researchers and engineers!
Update! This post has actually been updated for 2023 to highlight extra researchers and engineers!
There are, of course, far a lot of females in science history to place on a single list, however the more researchers you and your trainees understand about, the better! This resource can be utilized throughout Womens History Month and year-round to celebrate, recognize, and speak about motivating women in science. We encourage educators to combine discovering more about females in STEM with student reflection on personal interests and possible career paths, too.
There have actually always been females in science. Whether acknowledged at the time or not, ladies interested in science and engineering have made crucial discoveries, conducted game-changing research study, and pursued careers in science, technology, mathematics, and engineering (STEM). Discovering and sharing these stories and encouraging women to see themselves as future scientists is necessary, continuous work for science teachers.
We hope seeing lists like this (and related lists) expands awareness and assists influence students for more information about these researchers and to explore related science professions, activities, and tasks.
How to Use this Resource
For each researcher, we have actually included a short biographical note, a link to one or more hands-on science tasks or activities connected to the researchers area of study, a link to a pertinent science career profile, and a link to a biography to assist trainees discover more about individual scientists. Educators can use this career worksheet to guide trainee exploration and reflection about STEM careers.
Ladies in Science and Engineering
9. Annie Jump Cannon, astronomer (1863-1941).
Working at Harvard College Observatory as part of a group in some cases now described as “Pickerings ladies,” Annie Jump Cannon established the Harvard Classification Scheme, a system that categorizes a star based upon its temperature level and spectra. (Her deal with this system continued and progressed the work of other females who had actually worked for Pickering, consisting of Williamina Fleming.) Cannons system classifies spectra utilizing the letters O, B, A, F, G, K, M, rankings that represent temperature level (hot to cold). After assigning the spectral type letter, Cannons system appoints a sub-class using numbers from 0 to 9. (To find out more about Cannon, see STEM is for Everyone: Annie Jump Cannon, Classifier of Stars.) (Biography).
Try out the Star light, Star brilliant: How Does Light Intensity Change with Distance? and.
Using a Digital Camera to Measure Skyglow tasks.
Profession connection: Astronomer.
15. Martha Coston, chemist (1826-1904).
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).
Try out the Rainbow Fire Science Project project.
Profession connection: Chemical Engineer.
18. Sylvia Earle, marine biologist and oceanographer (1935-).
Sylvia Earle is a marine biologist and oceanographer devoted to ocean preservation. Often referred to as the “Sturgeon General,” Earle is founder of Mission Blue and has actually been a National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence since 1999. (Biography).
Experiment with the Somethings Fishy About That Fertilizer task.
Profession connection: Marine Biologist.
21. Thelma Estrin, biomedical engineer (1924-2014).
Thelma Estrin assisted build Israels very first computer system, the WEIZAC, in 1954. Her later research consisted of converting analog electroencephalogram signals to digital signals and mapping the human brain utilizing computers. (Biography).
Explore the Make a Heart Rate Monitor project.
Profession connection: Biomedical Engineer.
22. Irene Fischer, mathematician (1907-2009).
Irene Fischer was a mathematician whose work in geodesy included advancement of the Mercury Datum and research on lunar parallax utilized throughout 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.
Profession connection: Mathematician.
25. Rosalind Franklin, chemist and crystallographer (1920-1958).
Rosalind Franklin was a chemist and crystallographer whose X-ray diffraction of images helped discover the double-helix structure of DNA. (Biography).
Experiment with the Colorful Double Helix, A Gene-ius Activity experiment.
Career connection: Chemist.
30. Dorothy Hodgkin, chemist (1910-1994).
Dorothy Hodgkin developed protein crystallography and used x-ray crystallography to determine or confirm the 3-dimensional molecular structure of penicillin, vitamin B-12, and insulin. She won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1964. (Biography).
Experiment with the Foldit: Playing a Game While Solving Protein Structures project.
Career connection: Chemist.
31. Helia Bravo Hollis, biologist and botanist (1901-2001).
Helia Bravo Hollis was a biologist and botanist whose research concentrated on the collection and category of cacti in Mexico.
( Biography).
Experiment with the Dissect a Flower activity.
Career connection: Plant Scientist.
33. Grace Hopper, computer researcher (1906-1992).
Grace Hopper was one of the first computer 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 developed the first computer compiler, A-0, to instantly translate programming guidelines into machine-readable code.
( Biography).
Explore 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.
37. Stephanie Louise Kwolek, chemist (1923-2014).
Stephanie Louise Kwolek created Kevlar while working at DuPont to develop very durable synthetic fibers. Kevlar is utilized in lots of items, consisting of bulletproof vests. (Biography).
Try out the Turn Milk into Plastic! task.
Career connection: Materials Scientist and Engineer.
43. Susana López Charretón, virologist (1957-).
Susana López Charretón is a virologist whose research study on rotavirus recognized the methods in which it gets in the body (different from the methods it is commonly transferred).
( Biography).
Experiment with the How Do Viruses React To Soap? activity.
Career connection: Microbiologist.
55. Florence Seibert, biochemist (1897-1991).
Florence Seibert was a biochemist who developed a technique for preventing pyrogens in distilled water to improve the safety of intravenous injections. Seibert likewise developed a procedure for getting tuberculin purified protein derivative (PPD), which caused the advancement of a test for tuberculosis (TB).
( Biography).
Try out the Protein Fingerprinting and Which Filtration Material Leads to the very best Drinking Water? tasks.
Career connection: Biochemist.
60. Dorothy Vaughan, computer system scientist and mathematician (1910-2008).
Dorothy Vaughan was a computer researcher and mathematician. As NASA embraced the usage of computers, Vaughan taught herself FORTRAN and ended up being part of NASAs Analysis and Computation Division (ACD).
( Biography).
Try out the Computer Sleuth: Identification by Text Analysis task.
Career connection: Computer Programmer.
62. Mary Walton, mechanical engineer.
Mary Walton used a design train system to prototype and establish solutions for lowering sound pollution associated to trains and air contamination related to trains and structures with chimneys. (Biography).
Explore the Materials for Sound Barriers project.
Career connection: Mechanical Engineer.
Even more Reading.
Joan Procter, Dragon Doctor: The Woman Who Loved Reptiles.
Diversity in STEM.
To help students see themselves with a future in STEM and to widen understanding of science history, it is essential for trainees to discover about a diverse series of researchers and engineers. This consists of commemorating the stories of.
females,.
African American,.
Asian American Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander,.
Hispanic, and.
Native American researchers and engineers,.
researchers with specials needs,.
Preschool/Elementary School.
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.
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.
High School/Adult.
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June Almeida, Virus Detective!: The Woman Who Discovered the First Human Coronavirus.
Life in the Ocean: The Story of Oceanographer Sylvia Earle.
Search for!: Henrietta Leavitt, Pioneering Woman Astronomer.
The Leaf Detective: How Margaret Lowman Uncovered Secrets in the Rainforest.
The Story of Marie Curie: A Biography Book for New Readers.
Images: public domain or fair 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).
The Stuff Between the Stars: How Vera Rubin Discovered Most of deep space.
The Watcher: Jane Goodalls Life with the Chimps.
The World Is Not a Rectangle: A Portrait of Architect Zaha Hadid.
and other scientists from worldwide.
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.
Counting on Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Saved Apollo 13.
Dinosaur Lady: The Daring Discoveries of Mary Anning, the First Paleontologist.
Evelyn the Adventurous Entomologist.
Everyday 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.
For additional STEM reading ideas, see our STEM reading list.
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.
Fixing 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 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.
Top of The Class: The Story of Marjorie Lee Browne.
What Miss Mitchell Saw.
Who Was Sally Ride?
Wood, Wire, Wings: Emma Lilian Todd Invents an Airplane.
Grades 5+/ Middle School.
More than 60 profiles of engineers and scientists!
Revealing and sharing these stories and motivating women to see themselves as future researchers is crucial, continuous work for science teachers.
There are, of course, far too lots of females in science history to put on a single list, but the more researchers you and your trainees understand about, the better! While working on the Universal Automatic Computer (UNIVAC I), she established the very first computer compiler, A-0, to instantly translate programs instructions into machine-readable code. Dorothy Vaughan was a computer system researcher and mathematician.