Hispanic Heritage Month honors contributions made by Hispanics—people with ancestors from Spanish-speaking countries—and Latinos, or those from Latin America and the Caribbean. That includes famous people like actress Jenna Ortega, musician Bad Bunny, and artist Frida Kahlo. Hispanics and Latinos have also made advances in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM)!
Hispanics and Latinos have been conducting groundbreaking science for hundreds of years, says Emily Key, who works in education at the National Museum of the American Latino. Despite their important achievements, she says, many of these trailblazers are “not necessarily in the eye of the public.” That’s because history books often focus more on the work of White scientists.
Hispanics and Latinos have designed rockets, discovered new species, and helped save millions of people from deadly diseases. Read about Hispanic and Latino scientists from the past, and learn how their modern counterparts are following in their footsteps.