4 She Who Dares People are always finding new ways to understand the world around them Some people create incredible inventions to help make life better We often turn to STEM science technology engineering and math to help make these new discoveries From fossils to computers our world is full of fantastic discoveries and inventions Many advancements have been made by some very smart women in STEM Think of a challenge you have in your daily life Could you invent something to make things any easier
y x SISTERS IN STEM Throughout history women have had to overcome extra challenges to be recognized for their outstanding achievements in STEM In the past many schools did not allow women to get an education Other schools let them study only a few subjects Many daring women have broken through all kinds of barriers to be able to work in STEM They used their strength and intelligence to create new and exciting things Breaking through barriers takes lots of bravery and courage How do you find strength to overcome the challenges in your life 5
6 Mary Anning FANTASTIC FOSSIL FINDER Born 1799 Died 1847 Mary Anning was born in the small town of Lyme Regis on the coast of England As a child she spent her days exploring beaches and searching for fossils with her father At her church's Sunday school Anning learned to read and write Soon she was teaching herself all about animals and rocks Anning's family was very poor They often sold the fossils they found to help make money Drawing of an ichthyosaur skeleton When Anning was 12 years old her brother found a strange fossilized skull Anning searched for the rest of the animal and carefully dug it out She and her brother became the first people to find an ichthyosaur skeleton This creature lived in the ocean about 200 million years ago
7 Anning went on to discover many more incredible fossils including the first pterosaur found outside of Germany She was even the first person to suggest that a stone called coprolite was actually fossilized poop Anning's discoveries have been used to learn about Earth's history She is remembered as one of the most successful fossil hunters of all time Anning didn't search for fossils alone Her dog Tray was her fossil-hunting sidekick Every year people from around the world still visit the beaches where Anning found her fossils
