Women of STEM Books for your Classroom

March is National Women’s Month, which means it’s time to celebrate all of the incredible women of the world who have made an impact on our lives. During the month of March, I like to get out some of my favorite books focusing on the women of STEM. It’s a great way to introduce students to these incredibly impactful women through engaging stories they will love. Here are 9 of my favorite books featuring the women of STEM.

1. Counting on Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Saved Apollo 13

This book tells the story of Katherine Johnson, an African-American mathematician. She worked for NASA when the United States was trying to send the very first people to space. She was a member of the famous team of women featured in the movie Hidden Figures who made it possible for the Apollo 13 moon landing crew to return safely to Earth.

This book tells the story of Katherine’s life as a young child through her time with NASA. It’s a great book for kids of all ages to read, but especially your young girls who love math, science, and everything in between.

This book is sure to be inspiring to your future women of STEM!

2. The Girl Who Thought in Pictures: The Story of Dr. Temple Grandin

Temple Grandin is one of my absolute favorite women of STEM. Not only for her contributions to the welfare of farm animals but also for her ability to overcome her differences.

This beautifully written book tells the story of how a young Temple Grandin beat the odds to become one of the most groundbreaking thinkers of our time.

Diagnosed with autism as a child, nobody expected Temple Grandin to talk, let alone become one of the incredible women of STEM.

In addition to the incredible true story, this book also features a complete biography, fun facts, a timeline of events, and a special note from Dr. Temple Grandin! How cool is that?

3. Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World

50 women of STEM all in one place? Yes, please! This awesome book features fun illustrations and facts about 50 of the most fascinating women of STEM.

Some of the incredible women featured include:

• Rosalind Franklin
• Marie Curie
• Mary Anning
• Jane Goodall
• Patricia Bath
• Katherine Johnson

And, that’s just the tip of the iceberg! In addition to information on these amazing ladies, this book also includes infographics on lab equipment, rates of women currently working in STEM fields, and MORE.

4. Grace Hopper: Queen of Computer Code

While Grace Hopper may not be a household name like Jane Goodall or Katherine Johnson, her incredible accomplishments are sure to be fascinating for you and your students.

This book tells the story of Grace Hopper, a software tester, workplace jester, cherished mentor, ace4 inventor, avid reader, naval leader, chance taker, troublemaker, and rule breaker.

Sure to be an instant hit in your classroom, your students will be fascinated to learn she coined the term “computer bug” and taught computers to “speak English”. How awesome!

A true trailblazer, Grace Hopper lived her life as a curious soul and has become a role model for girls and boys the world over.

5. Girls Who Code: Learn to Code and Change the World

This New York Times Bestseller is part how-to guide, part girl empowerment making it the perfect book for your STEM classroom during National Women’s Month.

Author Reshma Saujani is all about inspiring young girls across America to learn how to code.

She founded the organization, Girls Who Code and has touched the lives of over 40,000 girls in the nation.

In addition to the simple and fun explanations of coding principles, author Reshma Saujani also includes real-life stories of girls and women of STEM making a difference in the world.

With a graphic novel-type feel, your students will quickly find this book engaging and exciting.

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

I previously mentioned the book Counting on Katherine about Katherine Johnson, but did you know there were three more incredible women who contributed to the success of the United States during the space race of the 60s?

Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, and Christine Darden along with Katherine Johnson were influential in some of NASA’s greatest successes.

These women of STEM provided essential calculations for America’s very first journey into space. And, they did it during one of the most challenging times for black women in the USA.

This book tells the story of their perseverance and genius as they changed the world by breaking down gender and racial barriers.

Written by Margot Lee Shetterly and Coretta Scott King, this inspiring true story will be an instant hit in your classroom.

Its beautiful illustrations and engaging story are perfect for read-aloud, independent reading, or even a special guest reader you invite to your classroom.

7. Ada’s Violin: The Story of the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay

This inspiring story is all about overcoming obstacles to become something amazing! Because I am a STEM teacher, I am always trying to give my students the opportunity to learn how to use what they have on hand to create extraordinary things.

This book focuses on the invention of instruments made of materials found in the trash. Ada Rios, who grew up in a small town in Paraguay built on a landfill could never have imagined playing the violin until a special teacher came to town.

And so, by turning trash into musical instruments, the Recycled Orchestra was born. With a message of hope and innovation, this book is great for introducing STEM challenges.

8. Her STEM Career: Adventures of 51 Remarkable Women

Want even more info on incredible women of STEM? This book is perfect for your middle-school-aged girls. It’s packed with stories that are interesting, relatable, and focus on careers in science and STEM.

Because this book is written in the first-person perspective of Women of STEM, your students will be invested in the stories.

STEM careers covered include:

• Medical Illustrator
• Fashion Engineer
• Marine Biologist
• Environmental Scientist
• Journal Editor
• Cosmetic Chemist
• Weed Scientist

Your students will love hearing about the many career path available to women in a relatable way.

9. Rosie Revere, Engineer

This New York Times bestselling picture book is all about persistence and celebrating failure. This is something I try to focus on heavily in my STEM classroom. It’s more about the journey than the outcome.

This book tells the story of Rosie Revere who dreamed of becoming an engineer. Full of inspiration and imagination, Rosie creates inventions from odds and ends she finds around her.

But, she’s so shy she’s afraid to show her incredible inventions to the world. She’s too afraid of failure to let anyone see what she’s made.

That is until a visit from her great-great-aunt Rose (Rosie the Riveter) shows her that failure is something to be celebrated not feared.

Because of this, this inspiring story will help even the shyest and most unsure of your students see how important it is to fail but never give up. Chances are this story will not only inspire your students but you as well. It’s the perfect addition to your classroom library and can be read any time of year!

Women of STEM for the Win

These books are all inspiring and sure to be instant favorites in your classroom as well. And so, you can fill the entire month of March with beautifully written and illustrated books featuring these amazing women of STEM today!

View them in my Amazon Storefront now

Looking for more books for your STEM Lab or Technology classroom? Check out these:

• 7 Technology Themed Books Your Students Will Love

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