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Contributor: A. Castle. Lesson ID: 14080
Dive into the inspiring story of Sally Ride, the first American woman in space, and explore the STEM subjects that make space travel possible through exciting hands-on projects!
Imagine floating in zero gravity, staring out the window at the earth far below, and being part of an elite team pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
Well, get ready to dive into the awe-inspiring story of Sally Ride, the first American woman to soar into space!
You won't just learn about her incredible journey — you’ll walk in her space boots, design your own missions, and even build rockets!
Whether you dream of becoming an astronaut, a scientist, or an engineer, this adventure will fuel your imagination and ignite your passion for the stars. So, strap in because you’re about to launch into a world of discovery, innovation, and out-of-this-world fun!
Prepare for liftoff because your mission starts now!
Who Was Sally Ride?
Sally Ride wasn't just any astronaut. She was a trailblazer, doing things no one like her had done before.
Born on May 26, 1951, in Los Angeles, California, Sally was always curious about science. She loved studying physics and was a talented tennis player. She even considered a professional tennis career.
However, it was her love for space that led her to NASA.
In 1978, Sally Ride was selected as one of the first six women to join NASA's astronaut program.
She trained hard, and on June 18, 1983, she flew into space aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger. She made history as the first American woman in space!
At 32, Sally Ride also became the youngest American astronaut to travel to space, a record she still holds.
Sally Ride flew on two space missions. Her first mission was aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger in 1983, and her second was also on Challenger in 1984.
During her space missions, Sally's call sign was Sam, short for Samantha, which was inspired by the TV show "Bewitched."
Breaking Barriers
Sally Ride's journey wasn't easy. At the time, many people thought space travel was just for men, but Sally proved them wrong.
She showed everyone that women could handle the challenges of space just as well as men. Her courage and determination allowed many other women to follow in her footsteps.
Not only did Sally Ride make history, but she also worked tirelessly to encourage girls and women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
She co-founded Sally Ride Science, an organization that creates fun and exciting programs to inspire young people to explore these fields. Many more girls believe they can reach for the stars thanks to Sally!
She co-wrote several science books for children, which aim to make science fun and accessible for kids.
Watch the short biography video below.
Legacy and Recognition
In 2003, Sally Ride was inducted into the Astronaut Hall of Fame, honoring her contributions to space exploration. After passing in 2012, she was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States.
There's a moon crater named after her! The Sally Ride crater is near the moon's south pole.
In 2013, Mattel released a Sally Ride Barbie doll as part of its Inspiring Women series to encourage young girls to dream big and aim high.
Continue to the Got It? section to learn what it takes to be an astronaut like Sally Ride!
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