Inspirational STEM women in TV and Film

The story of Katherine Johnson, an African-American space scientist and mathematician in the 1950s. She, along with her team of female co-workers, work tirelessly with NASA to send the first American into space. This film showcases the determination of each woman, despite the challenges they faced in their racist and sexist society. An inspiring story about three talented women on the road to success.

The story of a secret team of British cryptographers and codebreakers in the 1940s. Joan Clarke, a brilliant mathematician, helps to decipher German encrypted messages during WWII. The 2014 film depicts Clarke as a hard-working, intelligent woman who is highly respected by the men in her team.

The story of Marie Curie, a Polish-French physicist who discovers polonium and radium. A moving portrayal of Curie’s scientific accomplishments, combined with the heart-breaking impact of radiation exposure. This film celebrates the legacy of this woman; the only person to win two Nobel Prizes in different disciplines (chemistry and physics).

A science fiction drama which features a strong female scientist, using her skills to lead a space programme. Okay… let’s be honest.. this isn’t a true story! However, it’s still important that female characters are being represented as strong and capable in the world of STEM. These narratives closely mirror our reality, so female audiences can feel empowered to work towards a career in science.

While we’re on the topic of representing women in fiction… why not take some time out to enjoy a comedy! This film is about a group of female physicists who work together to capture ghosts in New York City. Although the science in this film is not genuine, it explores some interesting theories about the behaviour of subatomic particles and proton decay.

A high-status female engineer living in a dystopian future. This fictional series is about “the last surviving humans” onboard a train. The planet has frozen over, so the lead character has to ensure the train keeps moving to keep everyone alive. The narrative portrays a strong woman taking control of a challenging situation; alongside political issues such as class hierarchy and social injustice.

This fictional series centres on FBI Special Agents who investigate paranormal activity. Agent Scully has become such an iconic female character that “The Scully Effect” has inspired many women to pursue a career in STEM.

Based on true events, this series showcases the work of two women in tech. It’s set during 1980s and 1990s when the internet and personal computers were being developed. The women use various engineering, programming and graphic design skills to make waves in the IT industry.

This documentary following a group of high school girls using tech to break into the app development industry. As this field is currently dominated by men, this is a refreshing story which aims to inspire girls from around the world to improve collaborate and immerse themselves in STEM.

A captivating discussion amongst women specialising in computing science. This documentary explores the lack of diversity and gender equality in the industry and why it’s important to campaign for change.