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10 Black Women in STEM Your Students Should Know

10 Black Women in STEM Your Students Should Know

black-women-in-stem

While this isn't a full comprehensive list, here are 10 Black Women in STEM your students should know. The world of STEM professions is very one-sided and geared towards a certain type of person. We need to provide our students to see heroes in STEM that represent their race, religion, and gender to help change that projection.

According to start-engineering.com,

“While the numbers of minorities and women are growing, the workforce in STEM-related field remains predominantly white, 89 percent, and male, 72 percent…Over the last 25 years, these rates of participation in the STEM workforce represent a 67 percent increase for black and Hispanics, from 6.6 to 11 percent, and 24 percent increase for women, from 22.9 to 28.4 percent.” 

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Click here to grab these forever-free printable resource to add to your classroom!

For me, transitioning from being a former classroom teacher to a K-5 STEM teacher, this is an area I am growing at in my STEM space. As a white woman, I know that I have a one sided experience.

I took time to read, research and reflect. I found that there were a limited amount of diverse resource out there for students to connect to in STEM. So, I created one, and continuing to create; for my students and for yours.

Below are the 10 Black Women highlighted in this free resource. Don't feel like you need to copy & paste this all; I made this all pretty for you to print and share digitally, which you can find here!

black-women-in-stemBlack Women in STEM #1: Aprille Ericsson-Jackson

Most Known for: Aerospace Engineer at NASA Goddard

Highlights about her: 

  • Began working with robotics, then later worked on satellite design and other projects
  • Reaches out and speaks around the world and is passionate about more diversity within engineering roles
  • Has her Ph.D in mechanical engineering from Howard University & doctorate in engineering from NASA

Resources for kids to Learn more about her: 

black-women-in-stem#2: Mae Jemison

Most known for: NASA Astronaut, teacher, physician & tech founder

Highlights about her: 

  • First African-American woman in space; space shuttle Endeavor
  • Worked in the Peace Corps while teaching as a medical officer and researching
  • Has a college degree in chemical engineering, Afro and African -American studies (Stanford University) and a doctorate in medicine (Cornell University)

Resources for kids to learn more about her: 

black-women-in-stemBlack Women in STEM #3: Angela Benton

Most known for: Founder of online platform, NewMe Accelerator

Highlights about her: 

  • Helps minority led companies raise funds to build their business capital
  • Involved with Kuyere!, a project that provides solar energy to homes in Africa
  • Has won many awards for her difference in technology & diversity 

Resources for kids to learn more about her: 

#4: Gillian Bowser

Most known for: Ecologist & Research Scientist

Highlights about her: 

  • Research scientist at Colorado State University
  • Currently studying ecology factors on climate change
  • Has researched a variety of animal species 
  • Used to monitor butterflies and insects at national parks worldwide

Resources for kids to learn more about her: 

Black Women in STEM #5: Erica Baker

Most known for: Engineer

Highlights about her: 

  • Worked in IT for the University of Alaska
  • Used to work at Google, Slack, Patreon and now Microsoft
  • On board of directors for Girl Develop It and tech mentor for Black Girls Code
  • Passionate about genealogy work

Resources for kids to learn more about her: 

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#6: Bessie Coleman

Most known for: Airplane pilot

Highlights about her: 

  • First African-American woman to earn her pilot license
  • Taught herself French and moved to France to earn her pilot’s license from the Caudron Brother’s School 
  • Had a special talent in stunt flying and parachuting
  • Had a nickname ‘Queen Bessie’ for her flying talents

Resources to learn more about her: 

black-women-in-technology#7: Kimberly Bryant

Most known for: Electrical Engineer & Founder of Black Girls Code

Highlights about her: 

  • Founded Black Girls Code to inspire girls of color to pursue a career in STEM 
  • Has won many awards like Champions of Change for Tech Inclusion
  • Has a degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from Vanderbilt University

Resources for kids to learn more about her: 

black-women-in-technologyBlack Women in STEM #8: Chavonda Jacobs-Young

Most known for: Federal Scientist

Highlights about her: 

  • Has had many important scientific jobs including director of the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture and Administrator of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service
  • Received degrees from North Carolina State University and American University 
  • Has a PhD in paper science
  • Got a college scholarship in high-jumping to help pay for her college degree and three-time ACC track champion

Resources for kids to learn more about her: 

black-women-in-technology#9: Ashanti Johnson

Most known for: Chemical Oceanographer

Highlights about her: 

  • Mentors students through a NASA program to help them connect with scientists all over the world and achieve their science dreams
  • Has won many awards including the presidential award for excellence in science, mathematics, engineering mentoring
  • Has a degree in marine science from Texas A&M University Galveston & PhD in chemical oceanography from Texas A&M College Station

Resources to learn more about her: 

black-women-in-technologyBlack Women in STEM #10: Katherine Johnson

Most known for: Mathematician & NASA “Computer”

Highlights about her: 

  • Solved geometry and math equations like a traditional computer before they existed 
  • Katherine’s math calculations helped NASA launch a rocket for the U.S. to land on the moon successfully
  • Attended West Virginia State College and graduated with high honors

Resources to learn more about her: 

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Who else would you add to the list that has inspired you in the STEM field? Feel free to direct message me on Instagram, @naomimeredith_ and I would love to chat with you!