Trailblazing aerospace engineer shoots for the moon with children’s book
Sideena Grace. Photo provided by Sideena Grace
By Azhae’la Hanson, Reporter
An astronaut, a career many kindergartners dream of once and never again, stayed on Sideena Grace’s mind until she graduated high school. The wonders of space kept her in awe of what she could be one day. But her dream was met with a harsh reality in college when she was the only Black woman pursuing an Applied Physics at Hamline University.
In 2021, Grace made history by becoming Hamline University's first Black woman to graduate with a degree in Applied Physics in the university's physics program. Her remarkable journey continued as she immediately transitioned to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where she stood out as the only Black woman in her 2021 cohort within the Aeronautics and Astronautics department.
This reality would put her on a trajectory of inspiring other young and aspiring scientists to reach for the stars regardless of the circumstances.
Her children's book, Adventures with Sideena: ABCs in Space, brings kids on a journey through space and offers a window into her own dream as an aerospace engineer.
“I wanted to create a book that can give children the opportunity to get the exposure to STEAM that I got,” Grace said. She developed an interest in science while at Ascension Catholic School in North Minneapolis.
During her final year at MIT, the weight of being one of the few Black people in STEAM academia led Grace to reflect on her journey as a Black woman in the field. Her story is one of determination and resilience, and it offers inspiration for aspiring scientists and engineers from underrepresented backgrounds.
Some of the toughest times pursuing both degrees in physics and aerospace engineering came not from the curriculum itself but from proving that she deserved to be in the room. Inspired by her own experiences, she started her company, Grace Innovations, LLC and wrote a book prior to graduating from MIT this past June.
Through Grace Innovations, LLC, as an Aerospace Engineer, Grace is working to create innovative products for both Earth and, hopefully, space. One of her products is a pain relief product that she hopes to be used in space. She wrote and self-published her children's book Adventures with Sideena: ABCs in Space to introduce Black and Brown children to STEAM and make them feel that they belong and have a place in science and space exploration.
The book features Sideena as the main character and serves as a unique tool to introduce children to the world of STEAM through a person of color. She tours schools in an astronaut suit and shares her story to audiences of young minds. Using the ABCs and poetry, Grace hopes to make science more engaging and accessible to kids to keep their dreams of being an astronaut alive.
“We’re encouraging students, especially Black and Brown students, to pursue these careers in STEAM,” Grace said. “But if we don't have things that are inclusive, then what's the point? I am on a mission to change the mindset of design.”
The book is now available on Amazon and sgraceinnovations.com. It can be requested to be placed in public libraries.
“I realized that I could do more than just admire scientists and engineers like Mae Jemison; I decided to become both - a scientist and engineer,” she said. “My goal is to inspire every child to believe they can be the next trailblazer. I want them not just to admire me but to envision themselves becoming scientists, engineers, or even both.”
Despite the challenges, Grace still dreams of one day going to space, embodying the very essence of the dreams she aims to inspire in the next generation of STEAM enthusiasts.