Way back in February of this year, we wrote about forthcoming the Women of NASA LEGO Set which proposed wonderful mini versions honoring software developer Margaret Hamilton; NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson; pioneering astronauts Sally Ride and Mae Jemison; and “Mother of Hubble” Nancy Grace Roman.
Related: 14 Halloween costume ideas for strong girls based on real life women heroes.
Well, finally Maia Weinstock’s much lauded, crowdsourced concept kit is slated for a November 1 release as the LEGO Ideas 21312 Women of NASA set.
Yes!
I admit I am sad to see that for some reason, Katherine Johnson didn’t make the final four. But it is nice to see how the four diverse pioneers of STEM in the kit came out, complete with their real photos and descriptions on the box.
I really admire how accurate the details of the women and their work environments thanks to the input of the women themselves — like Sally Ride’s name tag was reportedly changed just to say “Sally” when she requested it. And that space shuttle with its own launch pad and separable stages? Well, that will sure get a lot of play from my girls.
Margaret Hamilton gets to see her own LEGO figure! What joy! Photo: © LEGO
While of course adult collectors and space fans will be all over this set, for our kids — girls and boys — who want to build, play and dream, I think the educational component is wonderful.
We’ve discussed so often that the more kids of all kinds can see their own diverse faces reflected back to them in their heroes and role models, the more they’ll believe that they can grow to be those heroes themselves.
That may be a lot to put on a set of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene toys, but it’s true.
Learn more about the LEGO Ideas 21312 Women of NASA set releasing Nov 1. Or if you’re in NYC visit the Flatiron LEGO Store on October 28th to grab an early set, meet Maia, and thank her in person. Details on the LEGO Facebook page. You can even grab a little Shake Shack across the street when you’re done.
