When you think of NASA engineers, you probably imagine rockets, satellites, or space missions. But did you know that one of them also created one of the world’s most famous toys—the Super Soaker? That engineer is Lonnie Johnson. His story shows how science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) can lead to amazing discoveries and even fun inventions.

Who Is Lonnie Johnson?

Lonnie Johnson was born in 1949 in Mobile, Alabama. As a child, he loved building things and taking gadgets apart. He dreamed of becoming an engineer. Even though he grew up during segregation, he didn’t let that stop him. He worked hard, studied science, and earned a degree in mechanical engineering. Later, he joined the U.S. Air Force and worked at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, one of the most important science labs in the country.

STEM Impact

At NASA, Johnson worked on some big space projects, including

The Galileo mission to Jupiter
The Cassini mission to Saturn.

He helped design systems for spacecraft that explored the outer solar system, a huge achievement. But Lonnie Johnson’s most famous invention wasn’t made at NASA. It happened by accident while he was working on a heat pump at home. He built a device that shot a strong stream of water across the room. That fun idea became the Super Soaker, a water toy that has sold over 200 million units around the world.

Still Inventing

After the success of the Super Soaker, Johnson didn’t stop inventing. He used the money he earned to start a company that works on:

Clean energy
Advanced batteries

His goal? To help power the future in smarter, more sustainable ways.

Why Lonnie Johnson’s Story Matters

Lonnie Johnson shows us that STEM is more than just numbers and tests. His story proves:

STEM skills can lead to many different careers
Creativity and curiosity are just as important as science and math
You can invent something fun and make a difference

No matter where you come from, you can dream bog, stay curious, and build amazing things.

Takeaway for Students and Parents

Here’s what we can all learn from Lonnie Johnson:

STEM opens doors, from space missions to cool inventions
Creativity + STEM = powerful problem-solving
Passion and persistence can lead to success, even by accident

At Kente Academy, we help students see STEM as a path to exploring, building, and imagining the future. Like Lonnie Johnson, our students can turn their ideas into inventions that make a difference.

Wrap-Up: STEM Role Models Series

This post wraps up our 3-part STEM Role Models series, where we featured:

Mae Jemison - the first Black woman in space
Gladys West- the hidden figure behind GPS
Lonnie Johnson- NASA engineer and Super Soaker inventor

We hope their stories inspire our students to dream big and know that STEM is for everyone.

Let us know which role model inspired you the most!

Lonnie Johnson: From NASA Engineer to Super Soaker Inventor