Women in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields have made indelible marks throughout history for their life-changing contributions, innovations, and discoveries.
Sharing books about women in STEM will inspire your students to dream big and challenge themselves in these fascinating fields. Covering Nobel Prize winners to pilots to mathematicians, these titles will introduce your class to trailblazing — and often courageous — women.
For example, animal-loving students in grades K-2 will enjoy You Are a Star, Jane Goodall. This title explores biologist and conservationist Jane Goodall’s years-long research expeditions among chimpanzees and her work to protect the planet. Little readers will delight in the book’s humor, eye-catching illustrated panels, and first-person narrative. It may even inspire them to work with animals too!
Meanwhile, Mae Among the Stars, a beautifully illustrated picture book for kids in grades 1-3, focuses on Mae Jemison, who dreamed of finding her place in America’s aeronautics industry from a young age. Through grit, tenacity, hard work, and the help of her loving family, she went on to become the first Black woman to travel to space, in addition to becoming a physician and an engineer.
Katherine Johnson and her team are another wonderful example of hugely significant scientists. A verifiable data and statistics wizard, Johnson was part of a historical group of Black women mathematicians who helped NASA win the space race and complete the first moon landing in 1969. For students in grades 3-6, Hidden Figures details the radically accelerated effort of Johnson’s team of human computers to have the first moment on the moon. (Share more Black stories in class with these inspiring reads.)
Want a collection of historical figures to explore with your class? Check out Super She-roes of Science: Advancing Technology, which covers a wide range of areas of scientific engagement made by women. For example, did you know that actress Hedy Lamar developed the first prototype for modern-day cell phones during World War II? Or that the technology for GPS was developed by African American mathematician Gladys West? With a comprehensive list of female engineers and mathematicians throughout history, this title will inspire your students to dare to be curious.
You can find many of these women in STEM in our newest summer curriculum program, MathCamp. It's packed with print and digital resources to boost math skills and confidence. MathCamp includes engaging trade book titles that connect mathematical concepts to literacy and uses Math Heroes to make real-life career connections.
Shop more brilliant books about women in STEM below! You can find all books and activities at The Teacher Store.