Learn about the important work of African-American mathematician Katherine Johnson, with this multimedia showcase celebrating her birthday on August 26.
Teachers: Visit the free MY HERO Lesson Plan for Katherine Johnson. Includes discussion guide and learning outcomes.
Katherine Johnson, born August 26, 1918, is an African-American mathematician who worked as an aerospace technologist for NASA and was the first woman in her division to have her name on a report. In 1962, astronaut John Glenn wouldn't begin his orbit around the moon without Johnson first checking all computer calculations by hand: "If she says they're good, then I'm ready to go."
Katherine Johnson has become a household name thanks to writer and researcher Margot Lee Shetterly.
See Shetterly's biography on Katherine Johnson here: https://www.nasa.gov/centers-and-facilities/langley/katherine-johnson-biography/
My Hero suggested viewing: Trailer for Hidden Figures (2016).
"HIDDEN FIGURES is the untold story of Katherine G. 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."
Katherine Goble Johnson is an African-American physicist/ mathematician who contributed to NASA's digital computer use
FUN FACT
Na Kia Boykin, Katherine Johnson's great-granddaughter, earned a perfect score of 600 on her math SOL as a third-grader at Palmer Elementary School.
These Del Norte High School Students Want to Follow in Johnson's Footsteps
"I am aspiring to go into a career in computer science."
"Katherine Johnson has inspired me to become a physicist at NASA."
"Because of Johnson, I can now confidently do what I want with my life."
"It is my dream and goal to become an astronautical engineer for NASA."
Inspired by Katherine Johnson? Learn about a New Hero Every Day of the Year with the MY HERO Calendar
Students: Share Your Hero Essays, Films and Art through our Create Program
Outstanding essays submitted to MY HERO will be considered for a certificate/t-shirt prize or be featured on the Story Homepage.
Submit your artwork to be entered in the MY HERO art contest or to be exhibited on our Gallery Homepage.
Students can submit their films for free with a waiver to the MY HERO International Film Festival.
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Hero Stories curated by MY HERO General Editor and Writer Shannon Luders-Manuel. Shannon is a critical mixed race scholar and writer based in Hollywood, CA. |
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Short films curated by MY HERO International Film Festival director Wendy Milette. |
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Artwork curated by MY HERO Arts Education and Gallery director Victoria Murphy. |
Organizer created on 7/7/2019 7:17:20 PM by Xenia Shin
Last edited 7/18/2024 12:16:50 PM by Abigail Richardson
