Raye Montague: Women in STEM Lesson for Kids

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Imagine being asked to design a Navy ship using a computer—and completing work in less than a day that once took years!

That’s what engineer Raye Montague accomplished in 1971. Her work helped change the way ships were designed, but her path to becoming an engineer was anything but easy.

I love introducing kids to people like Raye Montague, whose stories show how curiosity, determination, and creative thinking can lead to remarkable discoveries.

This Raye Montague lesson for kids pairs with the children’s biography The Girl With a Mind for Math. I’ve created a four-page printable companion to help students learn more about her life, explore engineering careers, and think about what they can learn from her story.

Who Was Raye Montague?

Raye Montague (1935–2018) was an American engineer and computer technology pioneer who worked for the U.S. Navy.

When she was a young girl, she visited a submarine and became fascinated by how something so enormous could be designed and built. She decided she wanted to become an engineer.

But growing up in Arkansas during segregation, Raye faced barriers because she was Black and female. She couldn’t study engineering at the college she wanted to attend, so she earned a degree in business instead.

She didn’t give up on engineering.

Raye began working for the Navy as a clerk typist and learned about computers while working her way into more technical positions. She also studied computer programming and engineering.

Eventually, she helped develop computer systems that could produce ship designs much faster than traditional methods.

In 1971, she completed a computer-generated draft for a Navy frigate in just 18 hours and 26 minutes!

She later became the Navy’s first female program manager of ships.

That’s quite a journey from a little girl fascinated by submarines.

The Girl With a Mind for Math

One of my favorite ways to introduce children to remarkable people in history is through picture-book biographies.

The Girl With a Mind for Math: The Story of Raye Montague, written by Julia Finley Mosca and illustrated by Daniel Rieley, tells Raye’s story in a way elementary-aged children can understand.

The book follows her early interest in engineering, the obstacles she faced, and her determination to keep learning.

It’s a wonderful starting point for conversations about engineering, computer science, perseverance, and the contributions of women in STEM.

I created a printable lesson to go along with the book so children can explore Raye’s story a little further.

What’s Included in the Raye Montague Lesson?

The Raye Montague Women in STEM Lesson is a four-page printable learning packet designed to accompany the book or a short biography study.

It includes:

• Raye Montague biography: A brief, kid-friendly introduction to her life and accomplishments.
• U.S. Navy information: Background to help children understand the world of shipbuilding and the work Raye did.
• Interview an Engineer worksheet: Questions to help students learn about engineering from someone who works in the field.
• Lessons from Raye reflection page: A chance for children to think about perseverance, learning, and overcoming obstacles.

I especially like the engineer interview activity because it helps children connect the history they’re learning to careers that exist today.

And the reflection page gives them a chance to consider what they might do when something they want to accomplish seems difficult.

How to Use This Women in STEM Lesson

You can use this printable as a short biography study, a read-aloud extension, or part of a larger STEM unit.

Here’s a simple way to structure the lesson:

Start with the story. Read The Girl With a Mind for Math together, or introduce students to Raye Montague using the biography page.

Talk about her engineering achievement. Ask children to imagine designing something as complicated as a ship. What would engineers need to think about before building it?

Complete the printable pages. Use the Navy information and reflection questions to help children connect what they’ve learned.

Explore a real engineering career. Have students interview an engineer using the included worksheet. If they don’t know one personally, you could arrange a classroom guest speaker or research an engineer together.

This lesson works especially well for elementary students, with younger children completing the activities alongside an adult.

Questions to Ask Kids About Raye Montague

After reading her story, try a few discussion questions:

• What first made Raye interested in engineering?
• What obstacles did she face while pursuing her dream?
• How did computers change the way ships could be designed?
• Why is it important to keep learning new skills?
• What would you like to design or invent?

One question I particularly like is:

What would you do if someone told you that you couldn’t pursue something you really wanted to learn?

Raye’s story opens the door to a meaningful conversation about unfair barriers, opportunity, and determination.

When to Teach About Raye Montague

This lesson fits naturally into several different topics throughout the school year.

It’s a great choice for Black History Month in February or Women’s History Month in March, but there’s no need to limit it to those occasions.

You can also use it during an engineering unit, a study of inventions and technology, or a biography project.

Her story connects history, mathematics, computer science, and engineering in a way that helps children see how these subjects work together.

Get the Raye Montague Printable Lesson

Ready to introduce your students to this remarkable engineer?

My Raye Montague Women in STEM Lesson includes four printable pages to help children learn about her life, understand her work, and reflect on what her story can teach us.

Get the Raye Montague Lesson in My Shop

Pair it with The Girl With a Mind for Math for a meaningful biography lesson that goes beyond simply reading the story.

More Inspiring STEM Biographies for Kids

If you enjoy teaching kids about people who have made a difference through science and innovation, take a look at my Temple Grandin Unit Study, inspired by the book The Girl Who Thought in Pictures.

Both stories are wonderful reminders that there isn’t just one path to becoming a scientist, inventor, or engineer.

And sometimes the people who change the world are the ones who refuse to stop asking questions.