Lesson plan; Hidden Figures”: Unveiling the Untold Story of NASA’s Brilliant Women

Introduction:

“Hidden Figures” is an inspiring movie that unveils the remarkable true story of African-American women mathematicians, often referred to as “human computers,” who played pivotal roles in the success of NASA’s Apollo Moon landings program during the 1960s. This lesson plan aims to delve deeper into the historical context and significance of the film while encouraging critical thinking and reflection.

HIDDEN FIGURES is the incredible untold story of Katherine Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer) and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe)—brilliant African-American women working at NASA, who served as the brains behind one of the greatest operations in history: the launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit, a stunning achievement that restored the nation’s confidence, turned around the Space Race, and galvanized the world. The visionary trio crossed all gender and race lines to inspire generations to dream big. http://www.foxmovies.com/movies/hidden-figures

As seen in the movie Hidden Figures, NASA has a long-standing cultural commitment to excellence that is largely driven by data, including data about our people. And our data shows progress is driven by questioning our assumptions and cultural prejudices—by embracing and nurturing all the talent we have available, regardless of gender, race or other protected status, to build a workforce as diverse as its mission. This is how we, as a nation, will take the next giant leap in exploration. NASA

Objectives:

1. Understand the historical context and significance of the film.
2. Explore the lives and achievements of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson.
3. Reflect on the impact of their work and its relevance today.

Before watching the movie

1. Watch the Trailer: Begin by watching the trailer of “Hidden Figures” to get a glimpse of the storyline and characters.
2. Character Exploration: Select two characters from the movie that intrigue you and conduct research to learn more about their backgrounds, contributions, and challenges they faced.
3. Research John Glenn: Investigate who John Glenn was and why he holds significance in space exploration history. Reflect on why his interaction with the protagonists is crucial to the narrative.

• • KWL Chart: See the KWL chart below. (Know, Want to Know, Learned) for students to record what they already know about the Space Race and NASA, what they want to learn from the film, and what they learn after watching it.

1. After watching the movie

1. Character Analysis: Write about the movie’s three main female characters – Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson. Explore their journeys, achievements, and the challenges they encountered both during and after the depicted period.
2. Research Extension: Expand your understanding by watching interviews or reading additional material about the real people behind the “hidden figures” at NASA. Consider how their experiences align with or differ from the portrayal in the film.
3. Discussion Questions:
   • How did the experiences of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson at NASA reflect the broader social and political challenges faced by African-American women during the 1960s? Discuss the systemic barriers they encountered and how they navigated them to achieve success.
   • In what ways did Johnson, Vaughan, and Jackson’s contributions to the space program challenge traditional gender and racial stereotypes? How did their resilience and determination inspire others, both within NASA and in society at large, to challenge discrimination and pursue their ambitions?
   • Reflecting on the themes of teamwork and collaboration portrayed in “Hidden Figures,” how did the diverse backgrounds and perspectives of the characters contribute to the success of the Apollo missions? Discuss the importance of fostering inclusivity and diversity in scientific endeavors and its implications for innovation and progress.

In a MAKERS interview, Katherine G. Johnson discusses her early passion for mathematics. A perceptive college professor recognized her talent and encouraged her to pursue advanced math courses. Eventually, she became a NASA mathematician, responsible for critical calculations. Among her achievements were determining the trajectories for Alan Shepard’s space flight (the first American in space), John Glenn’s orbit around Earth, and Apollo 11’s historic moon mission. Katherine’s groundbreaking work in science and technology remains an inspiration.

Additional Resources:

1. The Conversation: Hidden Figures:
   • Explore articles related to Hidden Figures in this section.
   • Date: January 4, 2024
2. Scientific American: The Story of NASA’s Real “Hidden Figures”:
   • Uncover the behind-the-scenes work of these remarkable women who contributed to space exploration.
3. The True Story of “Hidden Figures,” the Forgotten Women Who Helped Win the Space Race:
   • This Smithsonian Magazine article sheds light on the accomplishments of NASA’s black “human computers,” including the African-American women who played pivotal roles during the Space Race. Their work was at the heart of the country’s greatest battles, yet their contributions were often overlooked.