Women in Science
Fact files for KS3 Science
‘Throughout history, women have always played a crucial role within science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Though at times these contributions have been overlooked, or even forgotten’ – Blog Education Hub, 2021
Celebrate and encourage your students into STEM with 10 fact files on female scientists – from fossil hunter Mary Anning to Katherine Johnson, the supercomputer! These concise but inspiring info sheets slot easily into any KS3 scheme of work, highlighting cross-curricular links and providing positive role models from around the world.
A fantastic resource, highlighting the contributions of numerous female scientists
Included for each:
- Background information on their life and achievements, including images and diagrams to bring the stories to life
- Comprehension questions to develop soft skills – ideal for cover lessons
- Key terms to reinforce understanding
- Useful websites and further work/reading – great extensions for high achievers
Could be very useful for cover lessons
Plus!
A3 timeline featuring all 10 women and a map of their originsAnswers included for all comprehension questions
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What do teachers say about this resource? (12643)
A fantastic resource, highlighting the contributions of numerous female scientists. This initiative represents a significant step towards fostering inclusivity in education and providing young girls with inspiring role models in the field of science who have broken all barriers.
The resources align with the specifications and can be tailored for various age groups.
It is well-written, exploring a multitude of female scientists and illuminating the challenges they faced a century ago. It addresses specific hurdles faced by women of color and women in general. It's crucial to deliberately celebrate these scientists, as doing so can inspire more girls to pursue STEM subjects at higher levels.
[I particularly liked the] engaging insights; Katherine Johnson's partnership with astronaut John Glenn serves as a compelling example. These stories also offer rich cross-curricular connections to history, showcasing how women defied barriers, shattered stereotypes, and persevered despite prejudice, ultimately paving the way for future generations.
Given that women represent only 30% of STEM careers, it's crucial to explicitly teach and celebrate the achievements of women scientists. Doing so can inspire and motivate younger generations to pursue STEM careers.
The diversity of the women in the resource is good; it’s pleasing to see that the selection is not overwhelmingly white. I also liked how the resource focused on the obstacles that the women faced as well as their achievements. The reading comprehension questions are handy for using these for independent learning tasks. The highlighted curriculum links also make it easy to plan these activities into a scheme of work. The key words box also helps expand pupils’ vocabulary as well as accessibility of the articles.
I liked the fact that there are questions for students to answer, and the inclusion of discussing race as well as societal position with regards to that impact as well as gender.
The educational value is opening students' eyes to how gender, race and social background impacted (and actually still impacts) on a person's ability to enter the Science industry, though shows that it is still possible no matter what.
The comprehension questions are generally well thought out and usefully the author has included answers.
This could be a useful resource to include in schemes of work. It is based around a timeline of 10 women in science. I would probably use it for KS3 lessons (could be very useful for cover lessons) or as a homework.
Depending on a school’s SOW this may be a useful introduction to some historical women in science. It does illustrate examples of women of various backgrounds so may be of some educational use around diversity and inclusion in science.