Doctor Mae Jemison Orbiting the Earth

Blast off with Dr. Mae Jemison aboard the space shuttle Endeavour and discover how a curious child who loved science, books, and dance grew up to become a doctor, engineer, astronaut, and changemaker.

Listen

Read

Download Transcript

Cultural Spotlight: African American Trailblazers in Space & Science

This story highlights the achievements of Mae Jemison, who became the first African American woman to travel to space in 1992 aboard the STS-47 mission on the Space Shuttle Endeavour. Her journey reflects the perseverance of many African American scientists, engineers, and explorers who have helped expand our understanding of the world and beyond.

An inspiring true story about Dr. Mae Jemison, the first African American woman to travel to space, and how curiosity helped her reach the stars.

About this story

Based on

The life and accomplishments of Mae Jemison

By

Lauren Kratz Prushko (author)

Ages

3-10

Themes

Curiosity, perseverance, representation, STEM, creativity, courage

Story type

Audio nonfiction biography for kids

Big Ideas in this story

Curiosity can lead to big dreams and real-world impact
Science and creativity belong together
Black innovators and explorers have shaped science, technology, and space travel.

Core early learning skills

Growth mindset
Goal-setting and perseverance
Career awareness and STEM curiosity
Cultural awareness and inclusion

Talk & explore together

Try these conversation starters

What challenges did Mae face, and how did she handle them?
What is a dream you have for when you grow up?

Activities

Pre-school: Count backward from 10 and imagine blasting off!
Elementary school: Draw or write about something new you want to learn in a Stay Curious Journal.
Science + Art Challenge for All Ages: Create a drawing, dance, or short story about space.

Vocabulary

Astronaut: Person who travels in space