1

In 1986, the shuttle Challenger had a tragic

accident. This cancelled a planned third trip

for Sally. She helped investigate the cause of

the accident. Sally left NASA in 1987, ready to

pursue more of her love for math and

science.

Sally’s Later Life

In 1989, Sally became a professor of

physics at the University of California. She

also became the director of the California

Space Institute that same year.

Throughout the 1990s, Sally started a lot of education programs. She wanted to inspire

girls to study math and science. Many people still believed that only boys should study

math and science. Sally wanted to show them that wasn’t true, and her life proved it.

In 2003, NASA asked Sally for help again. They wanted her help investigating an

accident with the shuttle Columbia.

Sally died on July 23, 2012 of cancer.

She was 61 years old. Her entire life, Sally

believed she could do anything she set her

mind to do. After traveling to space, she

spent her life working to improve

education and opportunities for many

people. She wanted them to be able to

pursue their dreams, too.

© Jessica Boschen @ What I Have Learned

Sally Ride

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My Notes About Sally RideName: ________________________________

Born: _______________

Died: _______________

What was her greatest accomplishment? What makes her important?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

What was her job? ______________________ ______________________ ______________________

Fact Fact Fact

Write three facts about Sally Ride:

Describe three character traits of Sally Ride:

__________________, __________________, ________________

Other Information:

© Jessica Boschen • What I Have Learned

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Supplemental Materials

*Please print out the following

supplemental materials for students who have reading comprehension goals at the 2nd + grade levels. Select the most appropriate passage for your students reading level.

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Who was Sally Ride?

Sally Ride was an astronaut, a scientist, an athlete, and a teacher. She was the first American woman to travel into space.

Sally was born on May 26, 1951 in Encino, California. Her parents taught Sally and her sister to pursue their dreams.

On July 23, 2012, Sally died of cancer. She pursued her dreams and inspired many young girls to do the same.

Sally’s Early Life

In school, Sally enjoyed math and science, but her dream was to play tennis. She was one of the top 20 players of her age in the country. She even quit college to pursue her dream of becoming a professional tennis player. Sally played tennis for three months before she decided to go back to college in California. She earned degrees in physics and English.

While Sally was still in school, she read an advertisement from the National Aeronautical and Space Administration (NASA). In the ad, NASA asked for scientists to join them. Sally applied in 1977 and was one of five women accepted.

Sally’s Adult Life

In 1978, Sally started her training with NASA. Her years playing tennis helped her in her training. She had to learn water survival, parachute jumping, and other tough physical activities.

Sally became a crew member of the space shuttle Challenger. On June 18, 1983, she became the youngest American and the first American woman to travel into space. She was the shuttle’s flight engineer, launched two communication satellites, and did many experiments. On October 5, 1984, Sally flew into space on the Challenger again.

© Jessica Boschen @ What I Have Learned

Sally Ride

5

Who was Sally Ride?

Sally Ride was an astronaut, a scientist, an athlete, and a teacher. She was the first American woman to travel into space.

Sally was born on May 26, 1951 in Encino, California. Her parents taught Sally and her sister to pursue their dreams.

On July 23, 2012, Sally died of cancer. She pursued her dreams and inspired many young girls to do the same.

Sally’s Early Life

In school, Sally enjoyed math and science, but her dream was to play tennis. She was one of the top 20 players of her age in the country. She even quit college to pursue her dream of becoming a professional tennis player. Sally played tennis for three months before she decided to go back to college in California. She earned degrees in physics and English.

While Sally was still in school, she read an advertisement from the National Aeronautical and Space Administration (NASA). In the ad, NASA asked for scientists to join them. Sally applied in 1977 and was one of five women accepted.

Sally’s Adult Life

In 1978, Sally started her training with NASA. Her years playing tennis helped her in her training. She had to learn water survival, parachute jumping, and other tough physical activities.

Sally became a crew member of the space shuttle Challenger. On June 18, 1983, she became the youngest American and the first American woman

© Jessica Boschen @ What I Have Learned

Sally Rideto travel into space. She was the shuttle’s flight engineer, launched two communication satellites, and did many experiments. On October 5, 1984, Sally flew into space on the Challenger again.

In 1986, the shuttle Challenger had a tragic accident. This cancelled a planned third trip for Sally. She helped investigate the cause of the accident. Sally left NASA in 1987, ready to pursue more of her love of math and science.

Sally’s Later Life

In 1989, Sally became a professor of physics at the University of California. She also became the director of the California Space Institute that same year.

Throughout the 1990s, Sally started a lot of education programs. She wanted to inspire girls to study math and science. Many people still believed that only boys should study math and science. Sally wanted to show them that wasn’t true, and her life proved it.

In 2003, NASA asked Sally for help again. They wanted her help investigating an accident with the shuttle Columbia.

Sally died on July 23, 2012 of cancer. She was 61 years old. Her entire life, Sally believed she could do anything she set her mind to do. After traveling to space, she spent her life working to improve education and opportunities for many people. She wanted them to be able to pursue their dreams, too.

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What I Remember About Sally Ride

Name: ________________________________

1 . What career did Sally want to have before working at NASA? What did she do to pursue it?

_______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ 2 . What did Sally do on the space shuttle Challenger?

_______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ 3. What are some things that Sally did after working for NASA?

_______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ 4. What is one surprising fact that you learned about Sally Ride?

_______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________

© Jessica Boschen @ What I Have Learned