10 Inspiring Hispanic Inventors (and Crafts for Kids!)

As we continue to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month I was excited to learn more about Hispanic inventors. Unsurprisingly, they’re pretty cool! Amongst the group of Hispanic inventors below are scientists, physicists, teachers, and astronauts, and their contributions are both inspiring and jaw-dropping. To keep kids learning, I’ve included several related activities that you can incorporate into your lessons about these inspiring Hispanic inventors and crafts for kids.

Hispanic Inventors & Crafts for Kids

#1 Ellen Ochoa

Los Angeles, California

First up is Ellen Ochoa, the first Hispanic woman to go to space. She participated in four different missions during her career as an astronaut. And if that wasn’t enough, she also made history by becoming the first Hispanic director of the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6GpEWFCajg

Honor Ellen Ochoa’s achievements by checking out the video above, reading this beautifully lyrical book about Ochoa’s life, The Astronaut With a Song for the Stars: The Story of Dr. Ellen Ochoa by Julia Finley Mosca, or making an astronaut helmet from a paper plate.

#2 Albert Báez

Puebla, Mexico

Moving on to another impactful inventor is Albert Báez who co-invented an x-ray reflection microscope in 1948. It allows scientists to look at living cells and is still used today.

Celebrate Albert Báez’s invention by using cereal boxes and paper to make x-ray tablets, ripping up paper to make a skeleton arm, or by making DIY microscopes from plastic cups, plastic wrap, and water.

#3 Ángela Ruiz Robles

Leon, Spain

An early version of the e-book was invented by teacher, Ángela Ruiz Robles. Worried about the weight and quantity of books her students had, Robles created la Enciclopedia Mecánica, or a mechanical encyclopedia of images and texts that could be viewed through a magnifying glass. There was even a nightlight and she had plans for the text to be read aloud. While the invention was never made, you can find the prototype on display in the National Museum of Science and Technology in A Coruña, Spain.

Have your students create their own eBook using apps like Book Creator.

#4 Carlos Juan Finlay

Puerto Príncipe, Cuba

Carlos Juan Finlay discovered that Yellow Fever was caused by mosquitoes carrying the disease. While the insects are commonly referred to as Yellow Fever Mosquitos, their scientific name is Aedes Aegypti, and they can transmit other diseases (not just Yellow Fever). Finlay’s discovery wasn’t taken seriously and it took him many years and several experiments to prove he was right.

We can thank Finlay for his observations which saved thousands of lives by reading Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Ears by Verna Aardema and making buzzing mosquitoes out of pipe cleaners and straws.

#5 Guillermo González Camarena

Guadalajara, Mexico

He invented an early version of the color television.

We’ve all been having a lot of screen time lately, so why not take a break with these two activities? Make this DIY recycled cardboard TV to show off your kids’ or students’ artwork, or make a giant cardboard box TV large enough for your kids to fit inside!

#6 Juan Manuel Lozano Gallegos

Mexico City, Mexico

Believe it or not, Juan Manuel Lozano invented the jet pack, also called a rocket belt. That’s pretty cool in and of itself. Both Juan Manuel and his daughter have tested it out, although the ride only lasts for about 30 seconds.

Littles ones can “test it out” themselves with these homemade jetpacks made from soda bottles and ribbon.

#7 Luis von Ahn

Guatemala City, Guatemala

Now onto innovations in computer science thanks to Luis von Ahn. He helped develop CAPTCHA codes and is the founder of the popular (and free!) language learning app, Duolingo.

CAPTCHA stands for “Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart.” These codes are the words, images, or short tests we solve to show a website that we are a living person and not a computer.

We can celebrate Luis von Ahn’s achievements by continuing to learn Spanish on Duolingo (if you aren’t already) or recreating any one of these secret code craft ideas.

#8 Isaac Peral

Cartagena, Spain

Isaac Peral was a scientist and naval officer who designed the first electric powered submarine for the Spanish Navy.

Kids can join in on the submarine fun by making their own submarine in a bottle (note: this is a more involved activity) or make a rocking paper plate submarine (this one is a bit easier!).

#9 José Hernández-Rebollar

Puebla, Mexico

Another Mexican inventor on this list is José Hernández-Rebollar who invented the AcceleGlove. It’s a glove that transmits American Sign Language into written and spoken words as the wearer signs (or moves) their hand.

Instead of using the AcceleGlove, students can use American Sign Language and learn to sign their names.

#10 Domingo Liotta

Diamante, Entre Rios, Argentina

Last but not least, Argentina’s Domingo Liotta invented the first artificial heart. His version was only for temporary use, but it worked for three days while the patient awaited a standard heart transplant from a donor. Liotta’s heart, that he co-created, can be found on display in the Smithsonian in Washington D.C.

Have kids continue learning about the human heart by coloring this human heart printable or by making an inflatable heart using a sandwich bag, a straw, and some pipe cleaners.