Start exploring STEM on February 11th for Women and Girls in Science Day!
In 2015 the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution to declare February 11th as the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. This effort to help break down barriers in STEM fields for women is focused on empowering young girls as they accesses information and pursue opportunities within the sciences.
According to UNESCO, only 35% of all students enrolled in STEM-related fields of study are women, and just over 33% of researchers worldwide are women. Let’s change that!
Gender equality in educational and professional opportunities, pay, and recognition is key to creating a world where the science that impacts our everyday lives, and futures, is inclusive and beneficial to everyone. From climate change research to the next major development in AI, women contributing to diverse scientific fields brings fresh perspectives that can lead to big breakthroughs.
Using the activities, resources and video profiles of trailblazing women below, learn about the significant impact and vital role of girls and women in science.
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Getting Girls Into STEM
Tips for Encouraging Girls in STEM
Grades PreK-3
SciGirls believes that families are partners in helping girls to pursue STEM studies. This list contains strategies and practical tips to help you encourage your girl to be STEMsational!
How to Raise Strong Girls
Grades PreK-5
When girls get the message that they have the ability to work through difficulty and learn new things, they stop giving up and start finding their way through their struggles. Try, “I’m working on this.” to help your daughter remember that learning takes time.
Practicing Computer Science Skills Anytime
Grades K-8
Computational thinking practices set up learners for more than working on a computer. Building your child’s computational thinking skills will increase her confidence and better prepare her for the road ahead. Best of all, you are probably already using computational thinking practices in your everyday life. Here are some ways you can practice computational thinking skills as a family.
Trailblazing Women in STEM
Marie Curie | Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum
Grades K-2
Learn about award winning scientist Marie Curie with this video clip, printable biosketch reader, and support materials from Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum.
Did You Know?
Marie Curie was the first person ever to be awarded two Nobel Prizes! Her first was in 1903 for Physics, and second in 1911 for Chemistry.
Fly Girls: Women in Aerospace | STEM in 30
Grades 3-8
From the time the airplane first took to the air, women have played an important role in shaping the aerospace industry. Join STEM in 30 and Anousheh Ansari, the first female private space explorer, as we take a look at the contributions of early women aviators, female astronauts and other pioneering women.
Victoria Velez – Biomedical Engineer
Grades 3-12
Victoria Velez followed her heart to a career that focuses her love of hands-on problem solving into engineering medical technologies that save lives. This video is part of the series SciGirls Profiles: Women in STEM, which introduces students to women working in traditionally male STEM occupations, and inspires them to explore careers in fields like technology, engineering, manufacturing and trades.
The Secret Life of Scientists & Engineers | Sabine Seymour
Grades 6-12
Meet fashion technologist Sabine Seymour in this video profile from NOVA’s “The Secret Life of Scientists & Engineers.” Sabine makes “garments go fly” by merging technology with fashion to create clothes with amazing digital capabilities. When she’s not designing light-up clothes or imagining color-changing garments, she’s snowboarding “out of bounds.”
Ynés Mexía | Unladylike2020
Grades 6-12
Learn about the life and scientific achievements of botanist, explorer and environmentalist Ynés Mexía, in this digital short from Unladylike2020. Using video, discussion questions, classroom activities, and teaching tips, students learn about the historical period in which Mexía lived and her impact on science and the environmental movement.
Activities, Games & More
Books to Inspire Your Young Scientist
Grades PreK-3
Children are natural scientists, asking questions and making predictions about the world around them. They want to know “why” and “what if” and “how.” Just like your young scientist, the characters in this collection of books for children ages 2-8 are always asking questions, conducting experiments, and building new inventions. After reading these books, what will your child be inspired to create?
Space Scouts Game
Grades K-2
Become the Ultimate Space Scout by designing, building, and engineering with 5 STEM focused games and badges.
The Suspension Bridge Engineering Project
Grades K-3
This creative, simple, upcycled suspension bridge will help your child learn about engineering — and give your child’s tiny figurines an easy way to move from one neighborhood to the next!
Ice Science Experiment: What Makes Ice Melt Fastest?
Grades K-3
This cool science experiment shows how different variables impact how quickly ice melts.
SciGirls | Passion for Pixels
Grades 3-8
Did you know when you look at a photo of a planet in space, you’re really looking at a set of numbers? Remote-sensing satellites take pictures and gather data that is transmitted to the ground as digital signals, or sets of numbers. Then computer software converts the numbers into color images. Play with data transmission using this SciGirls activity to guide students through encoding messages into digital signals they send each other.
Invent Apps That Help Others and Build Empathy
Grades 6-12
In this interactive lesson, students will discover how new apps are improving the lives of people with a disability or illness and helping to raise empathy. Through original student-produced videos via PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs, students will learn about individuals who have overcome challenges and went on to help others. Then, students will use their knowledge of the invention process to design their own app which addresses a problem facing their school or community.
For even more games and educational resources for young learners, go to the Simple Science Activities Collection on PBS Kids for Parents