STREAM Activity: International Day of Women and Girls in Science

Let's create an out of this world rocket!

Activity best for children ages 4 and up

February 11 is International Day of Women and Girls in Science! This is a special day celebrated worldwide to recognize and honor the achievements of women and girls in the field of science. Women worldwide have done some outstanding work, one of them being Mae C. Jemison. Jemison is a scientist, doctor, and astronaut who made history by becoming the first woman of color to travel to space. She has become an important role model for many young girls who dream of exploring our galaxy. In honor of Mae C. Jemison, we will craft a spacecraft using simple materials you might have at home. Now, let’s grab our materials and get ready to explore where our spacecraft takes us.

Materials:

Glue

Scissors

Black construction paper

Colorful markers

2 small popsicle sticks

3 large popsicle sticks

Red pipe cleaner

Stickers

Optional: Washi tape

Guiding Questions:

Can you name a woman scientist you admire?

Can you think of ways to encourage more girls to be interested in science?

Vocabulary:

galaxy: a collection of gas, dust, and billions of stars and their solar systems

spacecraft: a vehicle used for traveling in space

Directions

Step 1

Start by gathering your materials for your spacecraft.

Step 2

Next, we will grab our three long popsicle sticks and color them with our markers.

Step 3

Once we are done coloring, glue the popsicle sticks together side by side.

Step 4

Now it is time to decorate the base of our spacecraft! Add stickers of our choice to the long popsicle sticks.

Step 5

Our spacecraft needs to be structurally sound for our flight to space! Let’s add our two small popsicles to both ends of our large popsicle sticks to help hold them together.

Step 6

Next, grab your construction paper and cut out a triangle shape. This will be the tip of our spacecraft. (Optional: grab washi tape and cover your spacecraft tip for extra flare.)

Step 7

Now, let’s finish constructing our spacecraft! We will add glue to the top of our spacecraft and glue the tip on.

Step 8

We will need fire to help our spacecraft launch! Cut our red pipe cleaner into 3-5 pieces and glue them on the back of our spacecraft.

Step 9

Now we are ready to play and have our spacecraft blast off into space!

Grown Ups- Are you looking for more ways to extend your child’s learning? Check out these extension activities to build upon today’s STREAM activity!

Reading Connections

Mae Among the Stars by Roda Ahmed

Mae Among The Stars

This book represents and inspires young children, especially girls and children of color, to achieve their dreams, no matter how big they are.

San Diego Children's
Discovery Museum

Free Activities

STREAM Activity: International Day of Women and Girls in Science

Let's create an out of this world rocket!

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