Discovery Days: Women & Girls in Science

Who runs the world? Girls and women in science! From the mother of radiation, Marie Curie, to making their marks in space like Mae Jemison, women have been catalyzing scientific research into the new age for decades! Join us for a day of experiencing these incredible minds and contributions!

Celebrate women and girls in science with the following activities and more!

• Space Shuttle Project, inspired by Mae Jemison: Explore engineering concepts as you design your own space shuttle.
• Handprint X-Ray, inspired by Marie Curie: Make a translucent handprint with an X-ray effect.  
• Ready? Launch!, inspired by Amelia Earheart: Why – and how – does a launcher give your paper airplane extra speed?    
• Binary You, inspired by Margaret Hamilton: Code your name using simple computer coding.
• Swirling Vortex, inspired by Mary Jackson: Navigate the wind tunnel – will your cargo survive? 
• Strawberry DNA, inspired by Rosalind Franklin: Discover the double helix and extract DNA.  
• Lunar Lander, inspired by Katherine Johnson: How would you design a lander to land safely on the Moon?  

Also, view the Institute’s rare first edition of On the Origin of Species, Charles Darwin’s landmark 1859 publication that introduced the theory of evolution by natural selection and forever transformed our understanding of the natural world. This exceptional volume will be on public display from February 7–15, 2026.