20 Best Gift Ideas for Women in Science (in 2024)

Last edited: December 5th, 2024

It can take some time to find the right gift for a woman in science. So to help you along, this list is full of gifts ideas that women in science have shown love for on social media or through product reviews. This collection will show them that you understand their love of science and support them in their passions. 

This list is a compilation of my favorites from around the internet. Some are our own Genius Lab Gear inventions and some we’re just jealous we didn’t think of first! Some external links in this page are from affiliates, which means that any purchase of the items after clicking the link will result in a small monetary referral fee paid back to Genius Lab Gear at no cost to you. We appreciate your support which allows us to continue inventing and testing the best tools for scientists on the planet!

1. Science Word Magnets

Science-themed gifts are rarely as entertaining and enduring as our science-themed word magnet sets! We recently launched these to encourage creativity and self-expression in labs, classrooms and offices. Each specialty pack comes with 144 tiles carefully designed by a PhD in that field for technical accuracy and tacit absurdity.

So far, we have sets for Chemistry, Physics, Engineering, Mathematics, Academia, Microbiology, Neuroscience, Ecology, PhD Balance (mental health in grad school) and Basic Science. Most people grab a 2, 3, or 4-pack that represents their unique experience in STEM.

Also now available on Amazon.

2. Science-themed enamel pin set for decorating lab coats

Science-themed enamel pins are a favorite of many of my fellow scientists for decorating their lab coats! Put that lapel collar to good use or use these as small gifts to lab mates and interns when they hit a major milestone. The DNA, microscope, beakers, and molecule pins here will especially be loved by science nerds as a way to add color and flair to her otherwise plain white lab coat.

Check the price on Amazon.

3. New 100% Cotton Women's Lab Coat designed for Chemists

Many women in science wear lab coats daily. And most of them hate their lab coats. That's why we spent 3 years designing and modifying a lab coat that chemists love! Released in 2024, the Curie lab coat is consistently reviewed as "the best lab coat I've ever had".

For chemistry and biology labs specifically, the tapered knit cuffs are especially important for protecting wrists from chemicals keeping clunky oversized cuffs from knocking over expensive glassware. We also made sure to use 100% cotton, which is typically required in chemistry laboratories. The Curie is tailored with data from over 600 women to specially fit female builds, with a wide size range and adjustable belt so women can finally feel great in their lab coat at work.

This is one to clue them in about beforehand so you can get the sizing right and make sure it meets their lab safety requirements! Or, you can grab a refundable $75 gift card to let them grab their own lab coat plus a pocket protector!

4. Laboratory Photography Canvas Wrap 5 by Meagan Ankney

Black and white laboratory photography by scientist Meagan Ankney captures every-day research scenes with an eye for appreciating the objects essential to our research.

This iconic image shows a scientist in the "pipette up" pose - a rallying cry for scientists everywhere. Add this motivational image to your lab or office and inspire your female colleagues to pipette up!

You can order this canvas wrap print directly through our site.

5. Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World

With a dash of whimsical artistry, Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World is a beautifully curated collection of personal narratives from 50 female scientists from a wide variety of backgrounds and disciplines. Stunning illustrations accompany the story of these inspiring innovators. This book is a delight to read and would make a wonderful present for any aspiring young female scientist in your life!

Check the price on Amazon.

6. The Exceptions: Nancy Hopkins and the Fight for Women in Science

Women especially know that scientific institutions are not always managed using the evidence-based approaches they love to champion. As late as 1999, a huge story broke that lead to MIT admitting it had "unconciously" discriminated against its female faculty researchers.

The Exceptions by Kate Zernike tells the story of Nancy Hopkins, the leader of a small group of female faculty who stood up to institutional barriers that left them underpaid and underrecognized compared the their male counterparts doing the same work. It's a documentary-style book that highlights real discrimination that young women in science may encounter in their future workplaces and how these exceptional women worked to fight it.

7. Cute Science-themed stickers

For the women in life sciences/chemistry/physics who love to deck out their laptop, thermos, and notebooks to keep it fun and lighthearted - this inexpensive 50-pack of cute science-themed stickers gives them a ton of options. Another great stocking stuffer (pair it with the Science Word Magnets above)!

8. Cytosis: A Cell Biology Board Game

For women studying in the life sciences, this Cytosis board game from Genius Games is yet another fun science game, this time focus on the processes of cells. These games are created by people with PhDs who make sure everything is accurate. They even include a detailed booklet explaining the concepts of the game in a longer educational format (totally optional)!

The board game concepts will be fundamental but fun to a graduate level biology student, but it's a fun way to introduce them to younger siblings, nieces and nephews who might be thinking about a STEM career. Playing a game like this, I see women in STEMs' passions shine through and kids pick up on that. Try it out!

9. Galaxy Girls: 50 Amazing Stories of Women in Space

Even if the female scientist you have in mind doesn't focus on aerospace or astronomy research, the mere act of getting to space means that a person is at the top of their field.

From biochemists to test pilots, Galaxy Girls details the stories of 50 women that have spent time in space or helped lay the groundwork for others to get there. You'll find some analogues to the popular Hidden Figures movie and many other inspiring stories you've never heard! My favorite is #32!

10. Science shapes cookie cutter set

This science-themed cookie cutter set is a whimsical gift for a female scientist in your life who also loves to bake. It's made of food-grade stainless steel, so it'll last a long time! The set includes 4 science-themed chemistry designs: atom, beaker, test tube, and flask - essentials for an office or lab party to stay on-theme. One of my lab mates made science themed cookies to celebrate my thesis defense and they made for fun photos!

11. Marie Curie "Fear Less" - Canvas Wrap

Looking for a perfect gift for someone who would love a female role model in STEM? Or someone who would love reading Marie Curie’s biography in search of inspiration and motivation for their own work? This Marie Curie "Fear Less" Canvas Wrap might be the one that you’re looking for. 

Marie Curie was the pioneering woman in the science of radioactivity. She was the first woman to win a Nobel prize and used the prize money to fund her own work on the way to her second. As a chemist and physicist, she dedicated herself to the study of radioactivity not for the accolades, but for the possible benefits to humankind. 

You can order this canvas wrap print directly through our site.

12. Women in Science Puzzle: Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World 500-Piece Jigsaw Puzzle & Poster

Based on Rachel Ignotofsky's New York Times bestseller book Women in Science, this 500-piece jigsaw puzzle showcases 15 daring female pioneers who revolutionized the world of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The intriguing portraits make this puzzle a terrific display once it's completed as well as the included 18 x 24 inch poster of the puzzle's design.  It's the perfect gift for any student scientist!

Check the price on Amazon.

13. The Madame Curie Complex book about women in science

When young women start learning the fundamentals in science classes, they find lots of equations and physical constants named after men like "Schroedinger's Equation" and "Planck's Constant" and "Lewis models". But those men weren't working alone in the dark.

The Madame Curie Complex dives into the women who worked in support of and alongside the men who landed most of the attention and accolades in the early development of the fields of chemistry, physics, and biology. It's an inspiring read for a young woman in STEM looking for role models.

Check the price on Amazon.

14. Everyday Superheroes: Women in STEM Careers

Everyday Superheroes is a fantastic book that covers STEM superpowers while also highlighting how amazing women are making a difference in the world through their science careers. The book was created as part of a Kickstarter campaign. Its purpose is to increase awareness about the importance of women in STEM disciplines. It features 26 women who have made significant achievements in STEM fields, each with a brief biography and a description of their field. Despite the fact that it is aimed at a middle-school audience, this would still make an excellent gift for the young female scientist in your life.

Check the price on Amazon.

15. Through the Glass Ceiling to the Stars: The Story of the First American Woman to Command a Space Mission

The memoir of the first woman to lead an American space mission, Through the Glass Ceiling to the Stars, is a must-read for women in science. The story follows Eileen Marie Collins' path from childhood to reaching her goals and serving as a role model for women. Eileen's tale is inspiring and fascinating, breaking down boundaries and paving the way for future generations. It's the perfect present for any woman who is fascinated by space or aviation.

Check the price on Amazon.

16. Pink Pocket Protector for lab coats

Yes, we made the first ever PINK pocket protector! The venerable Pocket Protector became a cultural icon in the 1960's and 1970's, but somewhere along the way the newer generation of STEM researchers forgot about them. Scientists need these back in their labs to stay organized, stay efficient, protect their lab coats, and finish their experiments without being late to lunch. So we researched and tested every type ever made to methodically solve each problem and come up with this refreshed design. 

Available in spruce green, sapphire blue, and faded pink - the top 3 colors voted on by our fans! You can even get it from our Amazon page if that's easier. 

Check the price on Amazon.

17. Marie Curie and Radium Enamel Pin Set

We haven't encountered a woman in science who doesn't admire Marie Curie, the badass and two-time Nobel Laureate. This Marie Curie and Radium Enamel Pin Set is a unique gift for your favorite Marie Curie fan to showcase their passion for what they do. Made from brass with nickel plating and hard enamel coloring, this pin lends a whimsical touch to lab coats, professional attire at conferences, and even everyday wear.

Check the price on Amazon.

18. Science Infinity Scarf

Your scientist will surely geek out over science fashion with this STEM-themed scarf. It's made of soft fabric and is silky and comfy to wear. Aside from fashion, it’s a practical gift to help keep them warm in cold weather and it's going to be a conversation starter for days.

Check the price on Amazon.

19. Women in Science Socks

We love that these stylish women's socks honor remarkable female scientists from a variety of fields, including neurobiology, mathematics, ethology, and chemistry! Rosalind Franklin, Jane Goodall, Ada Lovelace, and Rita Levi-Montalcini are among the four inspiring female scientists featured.

Check the price on Amazon.

20. Rocketbook Matrix cloud-connected reusable paper notebook

Women scientists do a lot of work both on paper and with software. Rocketbook finally solved the problem of merging your hand-written notes into your favorite digital services. You simply use their app to take a photo of your pages of notes and the QR code and marked symbols on each page trigger the app to send the digitized page to any of the 9 pre-set digital destinations you choose. This includes OneNote, Evernote, Google Drive, Dropbox, and even specific emails. Want a shortcut to send notes via email straight to your colleague or boss? This is what you’re looking for.

The Rocketbook Matrix is my personal favorite because it's designed for more technical work. It's got 30 pages of graphing paper and one regular lined page for taking notes, plus a built-in ruler on the inside cover. Did I mention they are reusable? Use their "Pilot Frixion" pens and then wipe the page with a damp cloth after uploading your notes to use it all over again (and win one for the environment!). 

Check the price on Amazon.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

What is the best gift for women in science?

Anything that's practical yet unique and a little nerdy that can help them show their love for science. Here are our favorites:

• Science Word Magnets
• Science-themed enamel pin set for decorating lab coats
• New 100% Cotton Women's Lab Coat designed for Chemists
• Laboratory Photography Canvas Wrap 5 by Meagan Ankney
• Marie Curie "Fear Less" - Canvas Wrap
• 9 Women of Science Tote Bag
• The Exceptions: Nancy Hopkins and the Fight for Women in Science
• Cute Science-themed stickers
• Cytosis: A Cell Biology Board Game
• Galaxy Girls: 50 Amazing Stories of Women in Space
• Science shapes cookie cutter set
• Women in Science Puzzle: Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World 500-Piece Jigsaw Puzzle & Poster
• The Madame Curie Complex book about women in science
• Everyday Superheroes: Women in STEM Careers
• Through the Glass Ceiling to the Stars: The Story of the first American Woman to Command a Space Mission
• Pink Pocket Protector for lab coats
• Marie Curie and Radium Enamel Pin Set
• Science Infinity Scarf
• Women in Science Socks
• Rocketbook Matrix cloud-connected reusable paper notebook