Rebel Girls STEM Stars: 25 Tales of Women in Science (Rebel Girls Minis)
#1 of 13 in Rebel Girls Minis Series
What’s inside...
Part of the Rebel Girls Minis collection, this anthology shares 25 short, true stories of women and girls who made groundbreaking contributions to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. From astronomers charting distant galaxies to computer pioneers writing the first lines of code, each mini-chapter introduces a new role model, highlighting her childhood curiosity, obstacles she faced, and the discoveries that changed our world. Vivid portraits, bite-sized facts, and an upbeat narrative style invite young readers to dream big while learning about perseverance, creativity, and real-world problem-solving.
Character compass
Katherine Johnson
Mae Jemison
Chien-Shiung Wu
Hedy Lamarr
Ada Lovelace
Discussion points
Which scientist’s story surprised you the most and why?
How did curiosity help these women solve problems?
What barriers did they face, and how did they overcome them?
Which STEM field would you like to explore now?
How can we support friends who want to try something new?
Tip: Role play these questions
Pair each story with a simple home experiment or online video.
Map the scientists’ birthplaces to introduce geography.
Relate each discovery to a real-life application children know.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Perseverance leads to breakthroughs
Explanation: Each scientist faced setbacks but kept experimenting or studying.
Real-World Application: Keep practicing a skill even when results are slow.
Example Lesson: Curiosity fuels learning
Explanation: Stories begin with childhood questions that grow into research.
Real-World Application: Turn everyday wonders into mini investigations at home.
Example Lesson: Collaboration strengthens ideas
Explanation: Many breakthroughs happened with supportive teams or mentors.
Real-World Application: Seek help from classmates and share credit for group projects.
Example Lesson: Diversity drives innovation
Explanation: Different backgrounds brought fresh perspectives to science.
Real-World Application: Listen to varied opinions when solving problems.