7 Activities Featuring Women in STEM History

By Claire Meschkat

Originally Posted: March 6, 2020
Updated: March 2024

Kids won’t be what they don’t see, so provide all of your students with STEM role models that represent them. March is Women’s History month so we are highlighting some inspirational women in STEM history with ways you can involve your kids in their legacies.

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Women in STEM Books

Check out some fantastic books that illustrate female characters or historical figures with their STEM skills and accomplishments on display. After reading the books, discuss with your kids the ways that the girl or woman persevered, what her career was, and or how she turned her passion into something more (think: she went to school to learn more, she shared what she learned with the world, etc.). Here are a few of our favorite Women in STEM history books:

Books for Younger Kids

Reminder: A STEM book does not need to be a textbook (although they obviously can be!) or even touch on all or any technical STEM content. Remember, at least one of the following statements must be true for a book to be a STEM book.

1. Contains and discusses concepts from science, technology, engineering and/or math.

2. Describes the story of a fictitious character who is a STEM professional or STEM enthusiast and details the career or interest in STEM.

3. Offers biographical details of a present or historical STEM professional or enthusiast.

4. Teaches foundational Stage 1 or 2 STEM concepts such as critical thinking and perseverance through failure. (See this post for more on Stage 1 STEM)

5. Describes STEM careers in a nonfiction or fiction text.

Hello Ruby: Adventures in Coding

Meet Ruby―a small girl with a huge imagination, and the determination to solve any puzzle. As Ruby stomps around her world making new friends, including the Wise Snow Leopard, the Friendly Foxes, and the Messy Robots, kids will be introduced to the fundamentals of computational thinking, like how to break big problems into small ones, create step-by-step plans, look for patterns and think outside the box through storytelling. Then, these basic concepts at the core of coding and programming will be reinforced through fun playful exercises and activities that encourage exploration and creativity.

Look Up!: Henrietta Leavitt, Pioneering Woman Astronomer

Henrietta Swan Leavitt was born on July 4, 1868, and she changed the course of astronomy when she was just twenty-five years old. Henrietta spent years measuring star positions and sizes from photographs taken by the telescope at the Harvard College Observatory, where she worked. After Henrietta observed that certain stars had a fixed pattern to their changes, her discovery made it possible for astronomers to measure greater and greater distances—leading to our present understanding of the vast size of the universe.

Sophie and the Airplane

Sophie's a dreamer who loves airplanes and doesn't take no for an answer. Her adorable spunk takes girls on a journey to discover the exciting world of aerospace! Sophie and the Airplane is part of the STEM Girls Books series. Designed for ages 3-8, these beautifully illustrated picture books show young girls (and their families) how a child’s natural interests and traits such as curiosity and creativity can lead to exciting career possibilities in STEM, long before self doubt and stereotypes begin pushing girls away from these fields.

Ada Twist, Scientist

Inspired by real-life makers Ada Lovelace and Marie Curie, this beloved #1 bestseller champions STEM, girl power and women scientists in a rollicking celebration of curiosity, the power perseverance, and the importance of asking “Why?”

Ada Twist’s head is full of questions. Like her classmates Iggy and Rosie—stars of their own New York Times bestselling picture books Iggy Peck, Architect and Rosie Revere, Engineer—Ada has always been endlessly curious. Even when her fact-finding missions and elaborate scientific experiments don’t go as planned, Ada learns the value of thinking her way through problems and continuing to stay curious.

Women Who Launched the Computer Age: Ready-to-Read Level 3 (You Should Meet)

In 1946, six brilliant young women programmed the first all-electronic, programmable computer, the ENIAC, part of a secret World War II project. They learned to program without any programming languages or tools, and by the time they were finished, the ENIAC could run a complicated calculus equation in seconds. But when the ENIAC was presented to the press and public, the women were never introduced or given credit for their work. Learn all about what they did and how their invention still matters today in this story of six amazing young women everyone should meet!

Solving the Puzzle Under the Sea: Marie Tharp Maps the Ocean Floor

Marie Tharp was always fascinated by the ocean. Taught to think big by her father who was a mapmaker, Marie wanted to do something no one had ever done before: map the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean. Was it even possible? Not sure if she would succeed, Marie decided to give it a try.

Ada Lace, on the Case (1) (An Ada Lace Adventure)

Ada Lace—third-grade scientist and inventor extraordinaire—has discovered something awful: her neighbor’s beloved Yorkie has been dognapped!

With the assistance of a quirky neighbor named Nina (who is convinced an alien took the doggie) and her ever-growing collection of gadgets, Ada sets out to find the wrongdoer. As their investigation becomes more and more mysterious, Ada and Nina grow closer, proving that opposites do, in fact, attract.

Books for Older Kids

The Friendship Code #1 (Girls Who Code)

A New York Times bestseller! Perfect for fans of The Babysitters Club and anyone interested in computer science, this series is published in partnership with the organization Girls Who Code.

Loops, variables, input/output – Lucy can’t wait to get started with the new coding club at school. Finally, an after school activity that she’s really interested in. But Lucy’s excitement turns to disappointment when she’s put into a work group with girls she barely knows. All she wanted to do was make an app that she believes will help someone very special to her.

Suddenly, Lucy begins to get cryptic coding messages and needs some help translating them. She soon discovers that coding – and friendship – takes time, dedication, and some laughs!

Black Women in Science: A Black History Book for Kids (Biographies for Kids)

Recommended for kids 7-11

Throughout history, Black women have blazed trails across the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Black Women in Science brings something special to black history books for kids, celebrating incredible Black women in STEM who have used their brains, bravery, and ambition to beat the odds.

Discover 15 science stories for kids that explore the lives of bold female scientists. Learn how each of them advanced their STEM fields and fought to build a legacy. Through the triumphs of these amazing women, you'll find remarkable role models.

Wonder Women of Science: How 12 Geniuses Are Rocking Science, Technology, and the World

What does it take to be a STEM genius? Check out these exciting, highly readable profiles of a dozen contemporary women who are on the cutting edge of scientific research.

Searching the cosmos for a new Earth. Using math to fight human trafficking. Designing invisible (and safer) cars. Unlocking climate-change secrets. All of this groundbreaking science, and much more, is happening right now, spearheaded by the diverse female scientists and engineers profiled in this book.

The Testing (The Testing, 1)

Recommended for Grades 7-9

A post-apocalyptic tale that follows a teen girl whose life hinges on a test. Covers botany, engineering, green technology, orienteering, and more.

Artemis: A Novel

Recommended for High Schoolers

Jasmine Bashara never signed up to be a hero. She just wanted to get rich.

Not crazy, eccentric-billionaire rich, like many of the visitors to her hometown of Artemis, humanity’s first and only lunar colony. Just rich enough to move out of her coffin-sized apartment and eat something better than flavored algae. Rich enough to pay off a debt she’s owed for a long time.

Propelled by its heroine’s wisecracking voice, set in a city that’s at once stunningly imagined and intimately familiar, and brimming over with clever problem-solving and heist-y fun, Artemis is another irresistible brew of science, suspense, and humor from #1 bestselling author Andy Weir.

Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race

The phenomenal true story of the black female mathematicians at NASA whose calculations helped fuel some of America’s greatest achievements in space—a powerful, revelatory history essential to our understanding of race, discrimination, and achievement in modern America. The basis for the smash Academy Award-nominated film starring Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monae, Kirsten Dunst, and Kevin Costner.

Nevertheless, She Persisted: True Stories of Women Leaders in Tech

Recommended for upper Middle through High School

Whether you are a young woman thinking of a career in software, a middle-career or executive woman, a parent, or a man curious about the role gender plays in tech, this book reveals the secrets, successes, and hidden struggles that women have endured to become both highly accomplished in their technical skills and effective senior leaders in their organizations. Their stories are illuminating, intended to inspire generations of women and help free our society from the limiting belief that ability is somehow linked to gender.

While fictional stories may inspire, showing girls (and boys) examples of successful women in STEM is a MUST! The books to the left are sure to help students realize there are so many opportunities for them.

However, misconceptions will still persist so girls may need more than just your encouragement to convince them that being in STEM is possible!

More ways to do this include:

• Helping your students find their spark and more with these 10 Easy STEM Career Classroom Activities!

• Breaking down misconceptions with our Who is an Engineer or Scientist? STEM Career Game & Activity!

• Introducing them to the many, many STEM careers available with this fun STEM Careers BINGO Game!

• Remind them year-round with these Women in STEM (FREE!) or with these STEM Career Classroom Posters!

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Women in STEM History Engineering Design Challenges

Connect STEM design challenges to historical women in STEM to learn how what your students are discovering is made possible by the contributions of women throughout history. Here are some of our favorite ideas:

Learn about Katherine Esau and botany while growing plants in a window greenhouse and creating a plant carrying device using the engineering design process.

1. Window Greenhouses with Dr. Katherine Esau- Dr. Katherine Esau was a pioneering botanist who received the National Medal of Science for her famous work in understanding the structure and workings of plants.  Most students are familiar with planting seeds, but have they ever watched the seedling sprout and grow without dirt? Create mini-greenhouses that you can hang in a window! “Plant” a seed by putting it with a moist cotton ball into a baggie and tape it to a window with a decorated greenhouse frame (included in product packet). Over the next several days, they will be able to observe and chart the growth of their little plants. A handout on plant and seed anatomy is also included as well as a mini-lesson on Dr. Katherine Esau. After their seedling has grown, students will answer reflection and math extension questions relating to the activity. These include graphing, interpreting graphs, and rates. Find this activity on TPT or on our website product page linked below!

1. Solar Ovens with Maria Telkes- Maria Telkes is the inventor of the first system to heat a home with solar power! Talk about the amazing things that our Sun does for us. Providing heat using the Sun and harnessing that energy is a growing field of science with many applications.  Have you tried cooking with the heat of the Sun? Making a solar oven to cook s’mores is a favorite with my kids! Here is how to do this awesome activity that ends with eating chocolate :

• Grab a pizza box or something similar, and cut a square flap in the lid (with one side still attached) and put foil on the inside.

• Angle the flap so that it reflects the sunlight into the box.

• Add plastic wrap to the part of the box where you cut the flap to keep dirt and bugs away from your food!

• Inside the box, layer a graham cracker, chocolate square, and a marshmallow.

• Leave outside to cook. Cooking time varies! A great extension is to measure cooking time for different days as well as measure the temperature inside the box.

• You will add the graham cracker top once the s’more is heated to your liking. 

You can do this at home or in the classroom (with access to the outside) using our engineering design challenge guide on TPT or here on our website! This guide walks students through the engineering design process to create their own solar ovens to optimize the cooking of their s’mores!

1. Coding with Grace Hopper- Grace Hopper was a Navy admiral and one of the first computer programmers. She even invented something called a link editor that combines object files inside of a program. Learn about Grace Hopper and play fun games on Code.org or program a robot. Check out some activities you can do with Sphero robots here. Pair these activities with the book Grace Hopper: Queen of Computer Code

2. Constellations with Williamina Fleming and Anna Jump Cannon- These women were both instrumental in developing the classification system that is still used to catalog stars today! Make your own constellations or create mini versions of constellations to display inside your classroom or home. To do this, attach paper covering one end of a cardboard tube (empty toilet paper roll). Then poke holes in the paper that mirror the stars in a known constellation. Shine a flashlight through the open end and point it at a wall! You now have an indoor planetarium! Can you create a bigger or brighter version? Use the engineering design process to hone in on an improved design.
   
   

3. Extract DNA with Rosalind Franklin - Rosalind was a chemist and X-ray crystallographer who helped discover the double helix structure of DNA among other accomplishments. Discuss her achievement and conduct an experiment to extract DNA from fruit! (Find the instructions here). Then see who can make the tallest freestanding double helix DNA structure using only pipe cleaners! 
   
   

4. Paper circuits with Edith Clarke - Edith was the first professionally employed female electrical engineer in the United States in 1922! Do your own electrical engineering project by constructing a house out of construction paper. Turn the door into a switch by running copper tape from a coin battery on the door to a small LED light attached to the outside of your house then looped back to the battery on the door. Make it such that when the door closes, it completes the circuit and turns on the light.  You can also play with snap circuits to learn the basics of electrical circuits.

Construct a bridge while learning about Emily Roebling.

7. Bridges with Emily Roebling - Emily Warren Roebling is known as the first female field engineer who guided the completion of the Brooklyn Bridge after her husband became ill and died of decompression sickness. Congressman Abram Hewitt recognized her consistent work on the construction at a ceremony honoring the opening of the bridge in 1883 and had Emily become the first person to cross the Brooklyn Bridge.⁣ Celebrate Emily Roebling and test your engineering skills by constructing a bridge using the engineering design process and explore compression and tension force! Find this thrilling activity on TPT or on our website. Recommended book pairing: ⁣ Secret Engineer: How Emily Roebling Built the Brooklyn Bridge by Rachel Dougherty

One of the most important things we can do is instill in our kids a desire to help others with the skills we have. Share this story with your kids and then brainstorm with them ways that they can help solve problems that others may be facing. 

One such story is that of Anna Stork and Andrea Sreshta. After an earthquake that devastated Haiti in 2010, these two graduate students at Columbia University sought to help with the disaster relief effort. As a class project, they designed an inflatable, waterproof, and solar-powered light that charges in 6 hours to provide light for 16 hours. Their LuminAID Solar Light has helped thousands of people including Nepal and Syrian refugees. A new version of their innovation even includes a phone charger.   

Challenge your students to make a difference by first learning about the amazing pioneering women in STEM history!

"If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants." -Isaac Newton (1675) 

Activities that feature women in STEM history.

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