Learning about famous scientists for kids is a great way to inspire curiosity and show students how discoveries change the world. Scientists help us understand everything from gravity and space travel to fossils, animals, and chemistry.
In this guide, you’ll discover:
• Important scientists’ kids often study in school
• the discoveries that made them famous
• hands-on STEM activities inspired by their work
These activities work well for:
- science lessons
- science fair research
- homeschool projects
- STEM clubs
- Women’s History Month
Famous Scientists for Kids (Quick List)
Students often research famous scientists for school projects. Here is a quick list of important scientists and innovators from many different fields of science.
Isaac Newton – physics and gravity
Galileo Galilei – astronomy and telescopes
Mae Jemison – astronaut and space exploration
Margaret Hamilton – computer software for Apollo missions
Katherine Johnson – NASA flight path calculations
Evelyn Boyd Granville – satellite mathematics and space science
Mary Anning – fossil discoveries and paleontology
Matthew Henson – Arctic exploration and navigation
John Herrington – astronaut and underwater research missions
Marie Tharp – mapping the ocean floor
Jane Goodall – chimpanzee behavior and animal science
Maria Sibylla Merian – insect life cycles and metamorphosis
Amelia Earhart – aviation pioneer
Mary Jackson – NASA wind tunnel engineering
Agnes Pockels – surface tension and chemistry
Archimedes – buoyancy and water displacement
Fibonacci – mathematical patterns in nature
Marie Curie – radioactivity and X-ray science
Below you’ll find hands-on activities inspired by many of these scientists and their discoveries.
What Is a Scientist?
A scientist is a person who studies the natural world by asking questions, observing patterns, and testing ideas through experiments.
Scientists use a process called the scientific method to investigate how things work.
Scientists may study:
- plants and animals
- planets and space
- rocks and fossils
- forces and motion
- chemicals and materials
Kids can be scientists too by observing, experimenting, and recording results.
👉 Start with this activity:
Build a Scientist Lapbook
Types of Scientists Kids Can Study
Scientists work in many different fields of science. Some of the most common include:
Physicists – study motion, energy, and forces
Examples: Isaac Newton, Galileo
Mathematicians – study numbers and patterns
Examples: Fibonacci, Katherine Johnson, Evelyn Boyd Granville
Engineers – design technology and machines
Examples: Mary Jackson, Margaret Hamilton
Biologists – study living things
Examples: Jane Goodall, Maria Sibylla Merian
Paleontologists – study fossils and ancient life
Example: Mary Anning
Astronomers – study space and planets
Examples: Galileo, Mae Jemison
Oceanographers – study oceans and underwater environments
Example: Marie Tharp, John Herrington
Explorers and navigators – study and map the world
Example: Matthew Henson
Below you’ll find famous scientists from many of these fields, along with activities inspired by their discoveries.
Famous Scientists and Their Discoveries
Many famous scientists are remembered for discoveries that changed science forever.
Some well-known examples include:
| Scientist | Discovery |
|---|---|
| Isaac Newton | Gravity and the laws of motion |
| Galileo | Observations of planets using a telescope |
| Marie Curie | Radioactive elements |
| Mary Anning | Fossil discoveries |
| Marie Tharp | Mapping the ocean floor |
| Katherine Johnson | NASA spaceflight calculations |
Exploring these discoveries helps students understand how science develops over time.
Famous Scientists for Kids (With Activities)
These scientists represent many different fields, including space science, biology, chemistry, mathematics, and engineering.
Each section includes a hands-on activity inspired by their work.
Physics and Space Scientists
Isaac Newton
Field: Physics
Famous For: Gravity and laws of motion
Isaac Newton discovered that light contains many colors and developed the laws of motion that explain how objects move.
Activity
Create a spinning color wheel to explore how light and color work.
Galileo Galilei
Field: Astronomy
Famous For: Telescope observations of space
Galileo used telescopes to study the Moon and planets. His observations helped prove that Earth is not the center of the universe.
Activity
Build a simple telescope model to explore magnification and astronomy.
Mae Jemison
Field: Aerospace Engineering
Famous For: First Black woman astronaut
Mae Jemison traveled into space aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour.
Activity
Margaret Hamilton
Field: Computer Science
Famous For: Apollo mission software
Margaret Hamilton developed computer software that helped guide astronauts to the Moon.
Activity
Katherine Johnson
Field: Mathematics / Space Science
Famous For: NASA trajectory calculations
Katherine Johnson was a brilliant mathematician whose calculations helped NASA send astronauts safely into space. Her work helped determine the flight paths used in the early Mercury missions and later helped guide the Apollo missions to the Moon.
Activity
Lunar Lander Engineering Challenge
Students design and build a simple lunar lander model to explore how engineers create spacecraft that can safely land on the Moon.
Evelyn Boyd Granville
Field: Mathematics / Space Science
Famous For: Satellite orbit calculations
Evelyn Boyd Granville helped calculate orbital paths used for satellites and space missions. Her mathematical work contributed to early satellite technology and space exploration.
Activity
Build a simple satellite model while learning how satellites orbit Earth and help scientists study space, weather, and communication.
Earth Science and Exploration
Mary Anning
Field: Paleontology
Famous For: Fossil discoveries
Mary Anning discovered some of the first complete marine reptile fossils.
Activity
Matthew Henson
Field: Exploration / Navigation
Famous For: Arctic expeditions
Matthew Henson helped lead expeditions to the Arctic and was an expert navigator.
Activity
Latitude and Longitude Mapping Project
John Herrington
Field: Space Exploration
Famous For: First Native American astronaut
Herrington lived and worked underwater in the Aquarius Reef Base to simulate space missions.
Activity
Marie Tharp
Field: Oceanography
Famous For: Mapping the ocean floor
Tharp created the first detailed maps of the Atlantic Ocean floor.
Activity
Biology and Natural Science
Jane Goodall
Field: Primatology
Famous For: Studying chimpanzee behavior
Jane Goodall changed how scientists understand animal intelligence and behavior.
Activity
Maria Sibylla Merian
Field: Entomology
Famous For: Studying insect life cycles
Merian carefully documented the life cycles of butterflies and other insects.
Activity
How to Make Scientific Illustrations and Phenology Wheel Printable
Engineering and Aviation
Amelia Earhart
Field: Aviation
Famous For: Solo transatlantic flight
Earhart pushed the limits of aviation exploration. You can also study her mysterious disappearance with our free printable history detectives investigation lab.
Activity
Mary Jackson
Field: Aerospace Engineering
Famous For: NASA wind tunnel experiments
Mary Jackson studied airflow around aircraft to improve airplane design.
Activity
Chemistry and Mathematics
Agnes Pockels
Field: Chemistry
Famous For: Surface tension research
Activity
Pepper and Soap Surface Tension Experiment
Archimedes
Field: Physics / Mathematics
Famous For: Buoyancy and water displacement
Activities
• Straw Boat STEM Challenge
• Archimedes Screw Engineering Project
Fibonacci
Field: Mathematics
Famous For: Fibonacci sequence
The Fibonacci sequence appears in many patterns in nature.
Activity
Marie Curie
Field: Chemistry / Physics
Famous For: Discovering radioactive elements
Activity
Science Resources for Kids
Want to learn more about science and how scientists work? These resources help students explore important science skills and vocabulary.
• Best Science Practices for Kids – learn how scientists ask questions and test ideas
• Science Vocabulary List – important scientific words students should know
• Scientist vs Engineer – understand how these two STEM careers work together
• Science Lab Safety Rules – a printable science lab safety guide
These resources help students build background knowledge before researching famous scientists and their discoveries.
Complete Famous Scientist Project Pack
Our Famous Scientist Pack includes 22+ scientists, inventors, and engineers with printable activities.
Each scientist includes:
• kid-friendly biography
• printable STEM project
• step-by-step instructions
• discussion questions
• science games and puzzles
• supply lists and teaching tips
Perfect for classrooms, homeschool, and STEM clubs.
FAQs About Famous Scientists for Kids
What is a scientist for kids?
A scientist is someone who studies the natural world by asking questions, making observations, and conducting experiments.
What famous scientists should kids learn about?
Some of the most popular scientists kids study include Isaac Newton, Marie Curie, Jane Goodall, Katherine Johnson, and Galileo.
Why should students learn about famous scientists?
Learning about scientists helps students understand how discoveries are made and encourages curiosity and critical thinking.
Who are famous women scientists for kids?
Famous women scientists include Marie Curie, Katherine Johnson, Mae Jemison, Jane Goodall, Maria Sibylla Merian, and Mary Jackson.
What discoveries did famous scientists make?
Important discoveries include gravity (Newton), radioactivity (Curie), fossil discoveries (Anning), ocean floor mapping (Tharp), and spaceflight calculations (Johnson).
Explore Science with Famous Scientists!
Make science meaningful with hands-on projects inspired by 25+ famous scientists and inventors. This printable STEM pack includes kid-friendly biographies, simple projects with everyday supplies, and bonus activities to help kids connect science discoveries with the people behind them.
