Hispanic Heritage: Dr. Ellen Ochoa - a Role Model for Girls

As part of the Hispanic Heritage month, I’d like to share Dr. Ellen Ochoa – role model for girls. My daughters have been very interested in becoming astronauts. I was wondering why until I saw what they were reading: The biography and interview of Dr. Ellen Ochoa- the first Hispanic American woman to fly in space. She is also an inventor of optical and robotic devices.

Please note: Some of the links below are affiliate links. Read my full disclosure here.

Now, if you have been following my blog for a while, you’d know that neither I nor my children have any links with the US or Hispanic society. We are from India but… my children go to an Arab- American School where they learn a lot about American culture. The good thing is that their school exposes them to not just American and Arab cultures but cultures from around the world.

I would love for them to have some books about the first Indian woman in space – Kalpana Chawla but they found Dr. Ellen Ochoa and that’s good too!

My children love languages. They already speak 4 languages but are interested in many more. They love food from different countries too but the best of all, I love how much they enjoy picking out role models from all cultures and countries.

Dr. Ellen Ochoa – A role model for girls

Ellen Ochoa is one such role model that is truly inspiring my children. She is from a migrant American family. Her father’s family is Mexican but he was born in the US. She grew up in California, received a degree in physics from San Diego, and a PhD from Stanford. She was actually discouraged from learning math and science but she preserved and succeeded.

Dr. Ellen is known as the scientist who developed ways for computers to ‘see’ objects and analyze them. She applied to NASA in 1987 but was rejected. She preserved again and got her pilot’s license before trying again in 1990. This time she was accepted. She went to space in 1993 becoming the first Hispanic woman to enter outer space.

What is it about Dr. Ellen that my children love so much?

She is a girl!
Dr. Ellen loves math and science.
She speaks in her interview about working hard and not giving up. ‘She believed she could and she did!’
She went to space! And she operated the robotic arm!! (That’s so cool for a 7 years old! :D)
She trained with NASA. My children have been binge watching videos on YouTube about space travel, floating in air and everything SPACE. How to eat in space, how to float about, what does the earth look like… all this was also in her interview in the book.

Dr. Ellen Ochoa books

My children loved this book about Dr. Ellen Ochoa’s interview. The book is available on Amazon in various forms. If you have little children age 6-11 years, I highly recommend it.

My children love math a little bit more after reading this. I love reading biographies myself. It was so heartwarming to see them enjoy this book.

Below are two of our favorite Ellen Ochoa books.

Want to Raise Your Children through Positive Parenting Methods?

Our Family Rules Chart will help you create a positive and peaceful home where children and adults treat each other with respect. Simply opt-in below to have it sent straight to your email inbox.

Dr. Ellen played the flute. She had dreams of becoming a professional Flutist but she found engineering and all changed. This book above is like a poem. I love how it’s written.

This one above is the biography. I love the little stories and anecdotes that she shares in it.

We are so excited for our eighth annual Hispanic Heritage Month series! Now through October 15, you’ll find great resources to share Hispanic Heritage with kids, plus you can link up your own posts on Hispanic Heritage!