Celebrate Native American Heritage Month with hands-on science! Meet 8 incredible Native American scientists and inventors whose work has inspired generations, from doctors to astronauts! Explore their achievements and try a simple STEM experiment inspired by their work.
Native American Scientists for Kids
Science is part of every culture and community. These Native American scientists and inventors combined traditional knowledge with modern innovation to solve real-world problems—from improving health and water systems to exploring outer space and protecting our planet.
Field of Science: Multidisciplinary – Medicine, Engineering, Physics, Environmental Science
Grade Level: Grades 2–5
Concepts Explored: Engineering design, health science, solar energy, gravity, water filtration, ecosystems, and the human body
Susan La Flesche Picotte (Omaha Tribe)
Field: Medicine & Public Health
Susan La Flesche Picotte was the first Native American woman in the United States to earn a medical degree (1889). She brought health education and medical care to her community, building a hospital and teaching about hygiene and disease prevention.
Experiment: Soap vs. No Soap Germ Test
Concept: Hygiene and microorganisms
Supplies: Bread, zip-top bags, markers, soap, and water
Instructions:
- Rub one slice of bread with unwashed hands and another with washed hands.
- Seal each slice in a labeled bag.
- Observe for several days and note differences in mold growth.
Expanded Science:
Soap breaks down oils and dirt on your hands that can trap bacteria. Handwashing helps prevent germs from spreading and keeps communities healthy.
Extension Activity: Create a “Healthy Habits Poster” to remind others to wash their hands.
👉 See the detailed project here: Germ Bread Experiment
Mary Golda Ross (Cherokee Nation)
Field: Aerospace Engineering & Mathematics
Mary Golda Ross was one of the first female engineers at Lockheed and helped design early spacecraft. She contributed to top-secret projects and worked on NASA’s Planetary Flight Handbook, paving the way for future space exploration.
Experiment: Paper Rocket Design Challenge
Concept: Force, motion, and aerodynamics
Supplies: Straws, paper, tape, and scissors
Instructions:
- Roll a piece of paper around a straw and tape it closed to make a rocket body.
- Add fins and a pointed nose.
- Blow through the straw to launch your rocket and measure distance.
Expanded Science:
Rockets move using Newton’s Third Law—every action has an equal and opposite reaction. Fins help stabilize flight paths and improve performance.
Extension Activity: Graph how different nose shapes or fin styles affect distance.
👉 See the detailed project here: Paper Rocket Experiment for Kids
Dr. Fred Begay (Navajo/Ute)
Field: Nuclear Physics & Energy Research
Fred Begay studied solar energy and nuclear fusion at Los Alamos National Laboratory. His work focused on harnessing the sun’s power to create renewable energy for future generations.
Experiment: Solar Heat Absorption Test
Concept: Energy transfer and color absorption
Supplies: Ice cubes, black paper, white paper, foil, and sunlight
Instructions:
- Place an ice cube on each color surface in the sunlight.
- Observe which melts first.
- Discuss how color affects heat absorption.
Expanded Science:
Dark colors absorb more energy, while light colors reflect it. Solar technology uses this principle to capture sunlight efficiently.
Extension Activity: Build a Simple Solar Oven and Test It with S’mores!
👉 See the detailed project here: Solar Energy Experiment
Wilma Mankiller (Cherokee Nation)
Field: Engineering & Community Development
Wilma Mankiller, the first female Chief of the Cherokee Nation, focused on improving clean water systems and community infrastructure. She taught that engineering can solve everyday problems that improve the quality of life.
Experiment: Build a Water Filtration System
Concept: Environmental engineering and water purification
Supplies: Plastic bottle, gravel, sand, charcoal, and a dirty water sample
Instructions:
- Cut off the bottom of a bottle and turn it upside down like a funnel.
- Layer gravel, sand, and charcoal inside.
- Pour in dirty water and observe the filtered water that comes out.
Expanded Science:
Filtration removes particles and impurities from water. Engineers use similar designs to provide safe drinking water to communities worldwide.
Extension Activity: Compare the materials that produce the cleanest water.
👉 See the detailed project here: Water Filtration STEM Challenge
John Herrington (Chickasaw Nation)
Field: Aerospace Engineering & Astronautics
John Herrington became the first enrolled member of a Native American tribe to fly in space aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour in 2002. He carried a Chickasaw Nation flag and artifacts from his heritage to space.
Experiment: Parachute Drop Challenge
Concept: Gravity, air resistance, and design
Supplies: Coffee filters, string, paperclips, and tape
Instructions:
- Tie four pieces of string to a coffee filter to create a parachute.
- Attach a small toy or paperclip as a weight.
- Drop it from a height and time the descent.
Expanded Science:
Air resistance slows falling objects. Parachutes use drag to reduce speed, helping astronauts land safely after space missions.
Extension Activity: Test parachutes made of different materials or sizes.
👉 See the detailed project here: Parachute Drop Challenge
Dr. Henrietta Mann (Cheyenne)
Field: Environmental Science & Education
Dr. Henrietta Mann worked to combine Indigenous ecological knowledge with modern environmental science, emphasizing balance and respect for the natural world. Her teachings remind us that everything in the environment is connected—from the water we drink to the air we breathe.
Experiment: Mini Water Cycle Bag
Concept: Earth’s systems and environmental balance
Supplies: Zip-top bag, permanent marker, water, blue food coloring, and tape
Instructions:
- Use a permanent marker to draw the sun, clouds, and land on your bag (or use the free template).
- Add a small amount of blue-tinted water to represent lakes and oceans.
- Seal the bag and tape it to a sunny window.
- Observe condensation forming at the top (evaporation) and droplets falling back down (precipitation).
Expanded Science:
The water cycle illustrates how Earth naturally reuses its resources—water evaporates, condenses into clouds, and returns to the Earth as rain. Indigenous teachings often emphasize how caring for water means caring for life itself. Find more water conservation ideas here.
Extension Activity: Record observations over several days. Discuss what would happen if one part of the water cycle stopped working.
👉 See the detailed project and template here: Water Cycle in a Bag Experiment
Archie Beaulieu (Dene)
Field: Mechanics, Engineering, and Art
Archie Beaulieu was a talented artist and engineer who combined creative design with mechanical innovation. His work celebrated Indigenous heritage and craftsmanship in motion.
Experiment: Recycled Car Design Challenge
Concept: Simple machines and motion
Supplies: Cardboard, bottle caps, skewers, rubber bands, and tape
Instructions:
- Build a car frame from cardboard.
- Use skewers for axles and bottle caps for wheels.
- Add a rubber band to power the car and test how far it goes.
Expanded Science:
When the rubber band unwinds, stored potential energy becomes kinetic energy, causing movement—just like an engine!
Extension Activity: Decorate with patterns inspired by Indigenous art.
👉 See the detailed project here: Recycled Rubber Band Car Design Challenge
Dr. Lori Arviso Alvord (Navajo Nation)
Field: Surgery & Health Science
Dr. Alvord was the first Navajo woman to become a surgeon. She combined Western medicine with Navajo healing traditions, emphasizing emotional and spiritual well-being alongside physical health.
Experiment: Heart Rate Investigation
Concept: Human body and circulatory system
Supplies: Stopwatch and notebook
Instructions:
- Find your pulse and count beats for 15 seconds, then multiply by 4.
- Do light exercise for 30 seconds.
- Measure your pulse again and compare results.
Expanded Science:
Exercise increases heart rate as your body works harder to pump oxygen to muscles. It shows how the circulatory system responds to activity.
Extension Activity: Create a “Healthy Heart Chart” showing how to care for your body.
👉 See the detailed project here: Heart Rate Science Activity
Native American Artists for Kids
Once you’ve explored Native American scientists and inventors, try a project on famous Native American artists!
NGSS Alignment (Simplified)
These simple STEM activities can easily be incorporated into your lesson plans.
| Grade Band | Guiding Question | Core Idea |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | What happens when we test designs and make changes? | Engineering Design, Matter, and Motion |
| 3–5 | How can we use science to solve problems in our communities? | Energy, Forces, Ecosystems, and Health |
| 4–5 | How do scientists and engineers apply knowledge to real-world challenges? | Earth Systems, Human Impact, and Innovation |
Printable Science Packs for Kids
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