DIY Science Experiments for Kids Inspired by Female Scientists

March is Women’s History Month, a perfect time to celebrate the achievements of female scientists who have paved the way for discovery and innovation. One of the best ways to inspire young minds is through hands-on learning. Here are ten engaging DIY science experiments that honor groundbreaking women in science and encourage kids to explore STEM fields.

1. Marie Curie’s Glowing Chemistry Experiment

Inspired by Marie Curie (1867–1934), physicist and chemist known for her work on radioactivity.

Experiment: Glow-in-the-Dark Water

While we can’t work with real radioactive materials, we can create a safe glowing liquid using tonic water and a blacklight.

What You’ll Need:

• Tonic water (contains quinine, which fluoresces under UV light)
• A blacklight
• Clear cups

Instructions:

1. Pour tonic water into a clear cup.
2. Turn off the lights and shine a blacklight on the cup. Watch it glow!
3. Explain that this is fluorescence, a phenomenon where a substance absorbs light and emits it at a different wavelength.

2. Rosalind Franklin’s DNA Extraction Experiment

Inspired by Rosalind Franklin (1920–1958), chemist and X-ray crystallographer who contributed to the discovery of DNA’s structure.

Experiment: Extract DNA from Strawberries

DNA is the blueprint of life, and with this experiment, kids can see it with their own eyes!

What You’ll Need:

• 3 strawberries
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp dish soap
• Rubbing alcohol (chilled)
• Ziplock bag
• Coffee filter

Instructions:

1. Mash the strawberries in a Ziplock bag.
2. Mix water, salt, and dish soap to create an extraction solution.
3. Add the solution to the bag and mash again.
4. Pour through a coffee filter into a cup.
5. Slowly pour the chilled rubbing alcohol down the side of the cup. White, stringy DNA will appear!

3. Katherine Johnson’s Rocket Launch Experiment

Inspired by Katherine Johnson (1918–2020), mathematician whose calculations helped NASA send astronauts into space.

Experiment: Baking Soda and Vinegar Rocket

Launch a simple rocket using a chemical reaction!

What You’ll Need:

• An empty film canister
• Baking soda
• Vinegar
• Tissue paper

Instructions:

1. Add vinegar to the film canister.
2. Wrap baking soda in a small piece of tissue paper.
3. Quickly drop the baking soda in, snap the lid shut, and flip it upside down.
4. Step back and watch it launch!

4. Jane Goodall’s Wildlife Observation Activity

Inspired by Jane Goodall (born 1934), primatologist and conservationist who revolutionized our understanding of chimpanzees.

Experiment: Animal Behavior Observation

Encourage kids to observe and record animal behavior, just like Jane Goodall did with chimpanzees.

What You’ll Need:

• Notebook
• Binoculars (optional)
• Outdoor space or a pet at home

Instructions:

1. Find an animal (a pet, a bird, or a squirrel in the yard).
2. Watch its behavior for 10–15 minutes, noting how it moves, eats, and interacts.
3. Discuss patterns and what they might mean.

5. Ada Lovelace’s Coding Game

Inspired by Ada Lovelace (1815–1852), the first computer programmer.

Experiment: Create a Simple Binary Code Bracelet

Teach kids how computers use binary code through a fun craft.

What You’ll Need:

• Beads in two colors
• String
• A simple binary alphabet chart

Instructions:

1. Assign one bead color to 1 and another to 0.
2. Write a short word in binary using a chart.
3. String the beads in the order of the binary code to create a bracelet.
4. Explain that computers use similar sequences to process data.

6. Rachel Carson’s Water Filtration Experiment

Inspired by Rachel Carson (1907–1964), marine biologist and environmentalist.

Experiment: Build a Mini Water Filter

What You’ll Need:

• Plastic bottle (cut in half)
• Sand, gravel, and activated charcoal
• Coffee filter
• Dirty water

Instructions:

1. Layer the materials inside the bottle (charcoal at the bottom, then sand, then gravel).
2. Pour dirty water through and observe the filtration process.

7. Barbara McClintock’s Corn Genetics Experiment

Inspired by Barbara McClintock (1902–1992), geneticist known for her discovery of jumping genes.

Experiment: Observe Corn Kernel Colors

Use different colored popcorn kernels to demonstrate genetic variation.

What You’ll Need:

• Multicolored popcorn kernels
• Paper and markers

Instructions:

1. Sort the kernels by color.
2. Predict color inheritance by making patterns.

8. Lise Meitner’s Chain Reaction Experiment

Inspired by Lise Meitner (1878–1968), physicist who contributed to nuclear fission.

Experiment: Domino Chain Reaction

Set up dominos to illustrate chain reactions.

What You’ll Need:

• Dominos

Instructions:

1. Line up dominos in a pattern.
2. Knock one over and observe the chain reaction.

9. Vera Rubin’s Galaxy Rotation Experiment

Inspired by Vera Rubin (1928–2016), astronomer who studied galaxy rotation.

Experiment: Spin Different-Sized Objects

Use different-sized balls to model galaxy rotation.

What You’ll Need:

• Small and large balls
• String

Instructions:

1. Spin different-sized balls and compare rotations.

10. Mae Jemison’s Astronaut Training Challenge

Inspired by Mae Jemison (born 1956), engineer, physician, and NASA astronaut.

Experiment: Simulated Space Walk

What You’ll Need:

• Thick gloves
• Small objects

Instructions:

1. Wear gloves and try to pick up small objects, mimicking spacewalk difficulty.

These experiments are not just fun—they honor brilliant women who changed the world. By trying these activities, kids can connect science with history and be inspired to make their own discoveries.

Who knows? Maybe the next great scientist will be in your home!