Is the key to a future in science already swirling in the bubbles of a breaking wave or the curve of a baseball?
In For All the Curious Girls: Stories of Wonder, Exploration, and Scientific Discovery, the Stories of Women in Fluids (SOWIF) collective delivers an engaging non-fiction anthology that transforms complex physics into relatable human experiences. Edited with a thoughtful introduction by Dr. Kelli Hendrickson and illustrated by Jane Shore, the book targets readers between the ages of 8 and 12 years. Rather than a standard biography, this collection gathers voices from a wide range of researchers—including graduate students and faculty—who share how their early fascination with the natural world led to careers in fluid dynamics. The narratives explore the science behind everyday phenomena, from the way an insect stays airborne to the intricate mechanics of blood circulating through human veins. Published by She Writes Press, the work represents a volunteer-led effort by over 40 scientists to uplift women of color and diverse voices, ensuring every girl can find a reflection of her own potential within its pages.
This book earns its place in any Changemaker library by championing SDG 5: Gender Equality and providing a clear path toward SDG 4: Quality Education. By showcasing a variety of journeys into STEM, it helps students develop the IB Learner Profile trait of being knowledgeable about the physical world while remaining open-minded about who can be a scientist. In a classroom, an educator might use the description of smoke rising above power plants to anchor a Grade 6 investigation into the impact of industry on air quality for SDG 13: Climate Action. These stories explain physics as well as providing a blueprint for how simply questioning why something happens turns into a professional pursuit. By documenting that the path to success is rarely a straight line, the book encourages students to be risk-takers with their own ideas. It reinforces the idea that student agency starts with noticing the world and having the confidence to follow those observations into adulthood.
