When working hard at having fun, everyone needs a crew.

But not everyone knows how to work well in a group or assemble a team.

Many complex STEM projects require science skills, teams, leadership, communication, and integrity. But what do those terms mean, and how do you learn the skills? Explore team leadership concepts using this Innovation study guide, applied to Dana Dash: First Girl on the Moon, a book about a girl genius who accidentally launches her science project to the moon.

Complete this study guide with your team of girls, boys, or co-workers to develop understanding of the shared leadership innovation process within teams. You can buy a copy of Dana Dash: First Girl on the Moon, here to read while you work through the study guide. The story is women-in-tech-empowering and science-based, but with secrets and adventure and monsters and robots and aliens and-- well, no spoilers. The main characters uncover mysteries, learn to turn their competitiveness into collaboration, and save the day using bravery, wits, friendship, and some deftly deployed scientific thinking. No damsels in distress here! It’s science and it’s fun. It’s a good book with a good message.

Pair with: examples of women in tech, examples of woman leaders, models of teams working together in difficult situations, models of problem solving and innovation, and integrity and ethics in science.

Dana Dash Innovation Study Guide: Overview

Available online today, the Dana Dash Innovation Study Guide explores science skills, communication, shared leadership, and trust within teams. Working through the study guide while reading Dana Dash: First Girl on the Moon can show how scientists and students can build effective teams. The message is delivered through a great story and a grand science-based adventure.