She Can Stem - (The Kitchen Pantry Scientist) by Liz Lee Heinecke (Hardcover)

About the Book

She Can STEM highlights the curiosity, creativity, and perseverance of 50 leading historical and modern physicists, chemists, biologists, and ecologists, pairing each biography with a hands-on project.

Book Synopsis

Inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators with the stories of 50 groundbreaking women in STEM--each paired with a fun, hands-on experiment that makes science exciting and accessible!

For thousands of years, women have made remarkable contributions to science, technology, engineering, and math. Though many faced barriers because of their gender, they persevered--and today, more women than ever are shaping the future of STEM.

She Can STEM brings these inspiring stories to life by exploring the pivotal moments that sparked these women's passion for science, the challenges they overcame, and the unique interests that make them extraordinary individuals beyond the lab.

Meet just a few of the brilliant and resilient women featured:

• Dr. Nadya Mason (Physicist): From running track and competing on the U.S. National Gymnastics Team to exploring how electrons move through materials like carbon and graphene.
• Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer (Ecologist): A love for wild strawberries as a child led her to reconnect with her Potawatomi heritage and become a leading plant ecologist and celebrated author.
• Dr. Chanda Prescod-Weinstein (Physicist): Once dreaming of baseball stardom and training as a dancer, she now studies the universe through astronomy and theoretical physics.
• Dr. Raychelle Burks (Chemist): Inspired by Agatha Christie and Star Trek, she now develops portable chemical sensors that help solve real-world crimes.
• Dr. Esther Lederberg (Microbiologist): Growing up during the Great Depression, her love of music and literature evolved into a groundbreaking career in biochemistry.

Each biography is thoughtfully paired with a simple, engaging experiment that connects kids directly to the science these women explored--turning curiosity into hands-on discovery.

Whether your child loves science, art, sports, or storytelling, the diverse role models in She Can STEM show that with curiosity, creativity, and determination, anyone can pursue a future in STEM.

Dig into even more incredible science history from The Kitchen Pantry Scientist series with: Physics for Kids, Chemistry for Kids, Biology for Kids, Math for Kids, and Ecology for Kids.

About the Author

Liz Lee Heinecke has loved science since she was old enough to inspect her first butterfly. After working in molecular biology research for 10 years and earning her master's degree, she left the lab to kick off a new chapter in her life as a stay-at-home mom. Soon, she found herself sharing her love of science with her three kids as they grew, chronicling their science adventures on her KitchenPantryScientist website. Her desire to share her enthusiasm for science led to regular television appearances, an opportunity to serve as an Earth Ambassador for NASA, and the creation of an iPhone app. Her goal is to make it simple for parents to do science with kids of all ages, and for kids to experiment safely on their own. Liz graduated from Luther College and received her master's degree in bacteriology from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. She is the author of Kitchen Science Lab for Kids, Kitchen Science Lab for Kids: Edible Edition, Outdoor Science Lab for Kids, STEAM Lab for Kids, Sheet Pan Science, and Little Learning Labs: Kitchen Science for Kids. Her namesake series, The Kitchen Pantry Scientist, pairs illustrated biographies with engaging hands-on activities inspired by their work. The books in that series include: Chemistry for Kids, Biology for Kids, Physics for Kids, Math for Kids, and Ecology for Kids. Kelly Anne Dalton is a professional artist and illustrator living in the wild mountains of Montana. Working from her charming 1920s studio, Kelly Anne loves creating a wide range of work, from children's books to decorative greeting cards and gifts. Growing up with a biologist mother, Kelly has had an appreciation for science and nature her entire life, and because of that, she enjoys creating the portraits for the Kitchen Pantry Scientist series. When not drawing, Kelly Anne can be found trail running in the forest, playing with her dogs, and adventuring with her husband.