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Level 1

Five Pioneering Women in Tech You Should Really Know About

By: Holly Spanner

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Originally Published in

Science Focus

Vocabulary

Mathematician (noun): A person who studies math.

Astronaut (noun): A person who travels in space.

Cyber attack (noun): An attempt to damage or steal information from a computer.

Fertilizer (noun): A substance that helps plants grow.

Let's learn about five amazing women who changed the world with their work in technology!

Ada Lovelace:

Ada Lovelace was a brilliant mathematician who lived a long time ago. She is famous for her work on the first computer, called the Analytical Engine. Ada wrote the first computer program, which helped people understand how computers could do more than just math.

Katherine Johnson:

Katherine Johnson was a mathematician who worked for NASA. She helped send astronauts into space by checking their flight paths. Her work was very important for the first Moon landing and the safe return of Apollo 13.

Dame Stephanie Shirley:

Stephanie Shirley started a company called Freelance Programmers to help women work from home. She faced many challenges but became very successful. Her company created software for airplanes and helped many women get jobs.

Michelle Zatlyn:

Michelle Zatlyn wanted to make the internet safe for everyone. She started a company called Cloudflare, which protects websites from cyber attacks. Her work helps keep our online information safe.

Elizabeth Coulombe:

Elizabeth Coulombe cares about the environment and invented a machine that turns food waste into fertilizer. This helps reduce waste and protect the planet.