LEGO Ideas Honors 5 Women of NASA with Mini Figures

Mini figures honoring female astronauts and scientists of NASA were submitted to LEGO Ideas.

According to the Women of NASA project submitted to LEGO Ideas, the figures intend to provide an educational building experience to help both young people and adults learn the history of women in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

"Women have played critical roles throughout the history of the U.S. space program, a.k.a. NASA or the National Aeronautics and Space Administration," the contestant who submitted the entry wrote on the Women of NASA Ideas page.

"Yet in many cases, their contributions are unknown or under-appreciated - especially as women have historically struggled to gain acceptance in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)."

The set includes these five notable female NASA pioneers:

1. Margaret Hamilton

In the 1960s, computer scientist Margaret Hamilton worked at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) under a contract with NASA. She was responsible for developing the on-board flight software for the Apollo missions to the moon, as well as for popularizing the modern concept of software.

2. Katherine Johnson

Johnson was a mathematician and a space scientist. As a NASA researcher, Johnson was known for calculating and verifying trajectories for the Mercury and Apollo programs, including the famed Apollo 11 mission, which was the first to land humans on the moon.

3. Sally Ride

Ride was an astronaut, physicist and educator. In 1983, she became the first American woman in space. After retiring as a NASA astronaut, Ride founded an educational company that encouraged children to pursue the sciences.

4. Nancy Grace Roman

Roman was an astronomer who became one of the first female executives at NASA. She is known to many as the "Mother of Hubble" for her role in planning the Hubble Space Telescope. Roman also helped developed NASA's astronomy research program.

5. Mae Jemison

Jemison was an astronaut, physician and entrepreneur. She became the first African-American woman in space in 1992. After her career in NASA, Jemison founded a company that develops new technologies and influences students to pursue the sciences.

The proposed LEGO set also includes a miniature Hubble Space Telescope and space shuttle, as well as a photo of the reams of code that landed astronauts on the moon in 1969.