Women have made incredible contributions to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) throughout history. From ancient times to the present day, many women have broken barriers and achieved amazing things in fields that were often dominated by men. Their stories are inspiring and remind us that anyone can succeed in STEM, regardless of gender. Knowing more about these trailblazing women helps us appreciate their hard work and achievements.
Today, we will share some fun trivia about women in STEM that highlights their impact and accomplishments. Whether you’re a student interested in science or just curious about the amazing work women have done, this trivia is sure to engage and educate you. Get ready to learn surprising facts and celebrate the accomplishments of women who have changed the world with their knowledge and skills. Let’s see how much you already know and what new information you can add to your brain bank!
Women In Stem Trivia
Trailblazers of Science and Discovery
1. Who is known as the mother of modern physics for her work on radioactivity? (Answer: Marie Curie)
2. What did Rosalind Franklin’s X-ray photographs help discover? (Answer: The structure of DNA)
3. Who is the first woman to win a Nobel Prize? (Answer: Marie Curie)
4. Who was the first female scientist to get a PhD in the United States? (Answer: Helen Magill)
5. Which female mathematician was known for her work on non-Euclidean geometry? (Answer: Sofia Kovalevskaya)
6. What did Ada Lovelace create that is often termed the first computer program? (Answer: An algorithm for Charles Babbage’s analytical engine)
7. Who developed the first systematic theory of psychotherapy? (Answer: Karen Horney)
8. Which female chemist is known for her work on the development of synthetic rubber? (Answer: John Bardeen)
9. Who was the first woman to receive a medical degree in the United States? (Answer: Elizabeth Blackwell)
10. Who is celebrated for her work on the first antibiotic, penicillin? (Answer: Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin)
Women Engineers Who Changed the World
1. Who was the first woman to earn a degree in engineering in the United States? (Answer: Emily Roebling)
2. Which early computer engineer is known for developing software for the ENIAC? (Answer: Jean Bartik)
3. Who was the first female engineer in the UK? (Answer: Beatrice Shilling)
4. Which woman invented the first practical method for producing synthetic rubber? (Answer: Charles Goodyear)
5. Who was the first female recipient of a PhD in computer science? (Answer: Frances E. Allen)
6. Who is known for her contributions to the field of aeronautical engineering? (Answer: Amelia Earhart)
7. Which female engineer is celebrated for her work in renewable energy technologies? (Answer: Marion Z. Danis)
8. Who designed the first version of the programming language COBOL? (Answer: Grace Hopper)
9. What female engineer was a pioneer in developing military communication systems? (Answer: Hedy Lamarr)
10. Who contributed to the development of the first computer programming language for business applications? (Answer: Rear Admiral Dr. Grace Hopper)
Mathematicians Making The Impossible Possible
1. Who was the first woman to win the Fields Medal in mathematics? (Answer: Mary Cartwright)
2. What mathematician is known for her theorem on mathematical biology? (Answer: Laura Spelman Rockefeller)
3. Who was a pioneer in algebraic topology and became the first female to lead the International Mathematical Union? (Answer: Karen Uhlenbeck)
4. Which female mathematician made significant contributions to calculus and mathematical analysis? (Answer: Emilie du Châtelet)
5. Who created a numerical method known as “The Crank-Nicolson Method”? (Answer: John Nicolson)
6. What renowned female mathematician has a teaching award named after her at the University of New Mexico? (Answer: Annalisa Crannell)
7. Who is known for her work in computational mathematics and algebra? (Answer: Eugenia Cheng)
8. Who was the first woman to win a scholarship to study mathematics at Cambridge? (Answer: Mary Cartwright)
9. What mathematician became the first woman to be elected to the National Academy of Sciences? (Answer: Maria Mitchell)
10. Who discovered a significant amount of results related to prime numbers? (Answer: Sophie Germain)
Brilliant Innovators in Technology
1. Who invented the first computer program that was ever created? (Answer: Ada Lovelace)
2. What female engineer was crucial in the development of the first modern digital computer? (Answer: Mary Wilkes)
3. Which woman is known for her contributions to computer languages and software engineering? (Answer: Margaret Hamilton)
4. Who co-founded the first women-owned tech company, New Moon Productions? (Answer: Susan Kane)
5. Which woman was essential in the creation of the video game Space Invaders? (Answer: Tomohiro Nishikado)
6. What female engineer contributed to NASA’s space shuttle technology? (Answer: Christine Darden)
7. Who developed the first graphical programming language at MIT? (Answer: Judith Faulkner)
8. Which computer scientist invented the idea of wireless technology? (Answer: Hedy Lamarr)
9. Who was a major force in the development of the programming language Prolog? (Answer: Alain Colmerauer)
10. Who led the Python software project and is a pioneer in programming language design? (Answer: Guido van Rossum)
Scientific Minds in Medicine
1. Who was the first woman to discover a vaccine? (Answer: Emilie du Châtelet)
2. Who is recognized for her foundational work in the field of nursing? (Answer: Florence Nightingale)
3. Which woman was instrumental in the establishment of the field of biostatistics? (Answer: Janet Lane-Claypon)
4. Who won a Nobel Prize for her research in cancer treatment? (Answer: Barbara McClintock)
5. Who pioneered the use of X-rays in medicine? (Answer: Marie Curie)
6. Who was the first woman president of the American Medical Association? (Answer: Mary Edwards Walker)
7. What woman was essential in the establishment of pediatric medicine? (Answer: Katherine McCormick)
8. Who is known for her contributions to the development of vaccines for cholera and typhoid fever? (Answer: Anna Wessels Williams)
9. Who was the first African-American woman to receive a medical degree? (Answer: Rebecca Lee Crumpler)
10. Which woman is renowned for her discovery of antibiotics? (Answer: Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin)
Visionaries in Environmental Sciences
1. Who is recognized for her pioneering work in environmental science and ecology? (Answer: Rachel Carson)
2. Who was an advocate for renewable energy and sustainable agriculture? (Answer: Wangari Maathai)
3. Which woman developed theories on climate change and its global impacts? (Answer: Jane Goodall)
4. Who was key in the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)? (Answer: Russell E. Train)
5. Who co-established the Earth Day Network to promote environmental protection? (Answer: Gaylord Nelson)
6. Which female scientist conducted extensive research on the health of oceans? (Answer: Sylvia A. Earle)
7. Who was influential in leading campaigns for clean air and clean water? (Answer: EPA Administrator Christine Todd Whitman)
8. Who is known for her innovative approaches in conservation and wildlife protection? (Answer: Joan Baez)
9. What female activist sparked global awareness about climate change with her research? (Answer: Greta Thunberg)
10. Who is credited with help developing the Environmental Health Perspectives journal? (Answer: Dr. Ellen R. M. Silbergeld)
Histories, Myths, and Legends in STEM
1. Who is known as the first recorded female scientist from antiquity? (Answer: Hypatia)
2. Which female mathematician is referred to as the “Calculus Queen”? (Answer: Maria Agnesi)
3. Who was an influential astronomer in ancient history? (Answer: Hypatia)
4. What early female physician is known for her work in the Renaissance? (Answer: Trotula)
5. Who is known for her contributions to early computational methods in the Middle Ages? (Answer: Abraham Bar Hiyya)
6. Which female figure in history is often associated with alchemy? (Answer: Maria the Jewish)
7. Who is celebrated in Norse mythology as the goddess of wisdom? (Answer: Sigrdrífa)
8. Who wrote the first known comprehensive medical text in history? (Answer: Agnodice)
9. What woman in Greek mythology is known for her intellect in science and philosophy? (Answer: Pythia)
10. Who is one of the first female philosophers known for her theories in ancient China? (Answer: Ban Zhao)
Final Thoughts
This trivia highlights the incredible achievements of women in STEM. We have learned about trailblazers in science, innovators in technology, and bold creators in mathematics. The impact of women on various fields is undeniable, showing how they have shaped our world for the better. It’s important to celebrate these amazing contributions because their work paves the way for future generations. Let this information inspire you to explore more about remarkable women in history. If you want to dive deeper into intriguing female figures, you might enjoy our women trivia or learn more about the significance of International Women’s Day through our International Women’s Day trivia.
Engaging with these stories not only enriches your knowledge but also enhances appreciation for accomplishments made in STEM by women throughout history.