International Day of Women and Girls in Science Lesson Plan
Share the importance of the contributions of women in science with your students. Bring classrooms to life with MY HERO's Multimedia Resources and Lesson Plan for Teachers. Includes discussion guide and learning outcomes.
Get Inspired by Films Celebrating Women in Science
Students watch the following three films and consider the discussion questions.
This excerpt from: The Secrets of the Universe, features Dr. Santona Ruli a student of nuclear physics shares her involvement with CERN.
Learn about Dr. Gail Brown, PhD., a trailblazer for women in science and a renowned research physicist at the Air Force Research Laboratory.
Stories Celebrating Women Scientists
Stories for students to read before considering the discussion questions.
There are stories that include an audio link allowing students to listen as they read along.
Marine Biologist and Environmentalist Rachel Carson
Rachel Carson, author of Silent Spring, was the mother of the environmental movement. Listen and Read Along Story
Women and Girls in Science: Hero Stories
Mae Jemison dreamed of going to space since childhood and was the first black woman to travel in space when she served as a mission specialist aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour.
Dilfuza Egamberdiyeva cares for the Earth's soil, researching ways to produce microbes to control plant diseases.
Dr. Jane Goodall, named a UN Messenger of Peace, has been studying wild chimpanzees for over half a decade.
Although known for her acting, Hedy Lamarr was a respected inventor whose selflessness and hard work made her a hero during WW2.
Middle School Student Wrote about Her Sister who has a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering.
A middle school student shares her science hero: her sister, who has a PhD in Biomedical Engineering.
Learn about the Collaboration between Elizabeth Lee Hazen and Rachel Fuller Brown Through These Two Stories
One of the most famous collaborations in the history of American medical science was between two women: Elizabeth Lee Hazen and Rachel Fuller Brown.
Rachel Fuller Brown and Elizabeth Lee Hazen co-developed an anti-fungal antibiotic.
Stories with Text and Audio:
Great for ESL Students and Emerging Readers
Andrea Mia Ghez is an astrophysicist best known for her discoveries about the black hole at the center of our galaxy.
Her story was hidden for decades: Katherine Johnson plotted multiple flight courses for NASA, including the Apollo 11 spacecraft, the first spaceship to reach the moon.
Rosalind Franklin's work was central to the understanding of the molecular structures of DNA.
Dr. France Cordova is a renowned astrophysicist who has broken gender and cultural barriers.
Discussion Questions
1. What character traits did these women demonstrate that allowed them to break through the gender barrier that existed in their chosen field of science?
2. What challenges did these women face and how did they overcome them?
3. What contributions to scientific discovery have been credited to these science heroes?
4. Why is it important to ensure full and equal access to and participation in science for women and girls?
LINK TO CLASS ACTIVITIES TO USE WITH YOUR CLASS AND THE MY HERO RESOURCES IN THIS LESSON PLAN
Students can share their Hero Essays, Films and Art through our Create Program
Outstanding essays submitted to MY HERO will be considered for a certificate/t-shirt prize or be featured on the Story Homepage.
Submit your artwork to be entered in the MY HERO art contest or to be exhibited on our Gallery Homepage.
Students can submit their films for free with a waiver to the MY HERO International Film Festival.
The International Day of Women and Girls in Science lesson plan was curated by MY HERO Education Outreach Director Laura Nietzer. |
MY HERO Calendars for use in the Classroom
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Organizer created on 1/20/2020 12:33:45 PM by Laura Nietzer
Last edited 1/8/2024 4:22:08 PM by Laura Nietzer