Women in STEM - March 2023

In honor of both Women's History Month and NJ STEM Month, New Brunswick Public Schools proudly celebrates Women in STEM! The field of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) is highly respected around the world, and for the dozens of years it has been around, it historically has been dominated by males. In the more recent decades, women have begun to break barriers and redefine the STEM field. Throughout the month of March, it is highly encouraged to dive into the history of the women who have made vital contributes to the STEM world to continue to inspire young women to break the gender stereotype.

Nancy Grace Roman (1925-2018) was an American astronomer known as the "Mother of Hubble" for her pivotal role in developing the Hubble Space Telescope. She was born in Nashville, Tennessee, and showed an early interest in astronomy, which led her to study the subject at college and graduate school.

Roman joined the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in 1959, where she became the first Chief of Astronomy and Relativity in the Office of Space Science. In this role, she oversaw the development of space-based astronomical observatories, including the Orbiting Solar Observatory and the Hubble Space Telescope. She was a strong advocate for the Hubble, which was eventually launched in 1990 and has revolutionized our understanding of the universe.

In addition to her work on the Hubble, Roman was a prominent advocate for women in science and helped to found the Association for Women in Science. She received numerous honors and awards throughout her career, including the NASA Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal and the National Medal of Science. Her legacy continues to inspire and influence astronomers and scientists around the world.

Shirley Ann Jackson is an American physicist and researcher who has made significant contributions to the fields of condensed matter physics, particle physics, and telecommunications. She was born in Washington, D.C., in 1946 and attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where she earned a bachelor's degree in physics in 1968. She went on to earn a Ph.D. in physics from MIT in 1973, becoming the first African American woman to earn a doctorate from the institution.

After completing her education, Jackson joined the theoretical physics research department at AT&T Bell Laboratories, where she conducted groundbreaking research on the behavior of electrons in semiconductor materials. Her work helped pave the way for the development of many modern technologies, including the fax machine, touch-tone telephone, and solar cells.

In 1995, Jackson became the first woman and first African American to be appointed as President of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, a position she held until 2013. Under her leadership, the institute became a leader in scientific research and innovation, with a focus on interdisciplinary collaborations in fields such as nanotechnology, biotechnology, and energy.

Jackson has received numerous honors and awards throughout her career, including the National Medal of Science, the highest honor bestowed upon scientists in the United States. She is also a member of several prestigious organizations, including the National Academy of Sciences and the American Philosophical Society.

Mae Jemison is an American physician, engineer, and former astronaut who became the first African American woman to travel into space. She was born in Decatur, Alabama, in 1956, and grew up in Chicago, Illinois.

Jemison received a degree in chemical engineering from Stanford University in 1977 and went on to earn a medical degree from Cornell University in 1981. She worked as a general practitioner for several years before being selected by NASA to join the astronaut corps in 1987.

Jemison made history on September 12, 1992, when she flew into space as a mission specialist on the Space Shuttle Endeavour, becoming the first African American woman to do so. During her time in space, she conducted experiments in materials science, life sciences, and human adaptation to weightlessness.

After leaving NASA in 1993, Jemison founded a technology consulting firm and became a professor of environmental studies at Dartmouth College. She has also been a strong advocate for science education and has worked to inspire young people, particularly girls and children of color, to pursue careers in STEM.

Jemison has received numerous honors and awards for her achievements, including induction into the National Women's Hall of Fame and the International Space Hall of Fame. She has also been awarded the National Medal of Technology and Innovation and the Kilby International Award, among others.

Throughout the month of March, NJ STEM Pathways & Research and Development Council of New Jersey highlight all of the incredible accomplishments in science, technology, engineering, math, and innovation spread across the state. Anyone can participate in NJ STEM Month by hosting or attending NJ STEM events throughout the month of March, and/or by engaging on social media through #NJSTEMMonth. Click here to access the website to find the events put on throughout the month, and don't forget to follow @NJSTEMPathways & @RDCouncilNJ and use the #NJSTEMMonth when showcasing all STEM accomplishments.

Content Created by: Jamie Schoenbach, Supervisor of Instructional Technology

Email: jamie_schoenbach@nbpsnj.net
Website: https://www.nbpschools.net/technology
Location: 268 Baldwin Street, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
Phone: 5591
Twitter: @NBPStech