Katherine Johnson: Trailblazer and Brilliant Mathematician

Learn about Katherine Johnson, the brilliant NASA mathematician who helped launch astronauts into space!

Look at the photo, and the caption underneath, at the top of the passage. Describe in 2-3 sentences what you see in the photo. Who brought Katherine Johnson's work to the attention of a broad audience, and how did she do it? You must answer in complete sentences. Paragraphs 4-13 describe the investigations into the role of Black women at NASA, and paragraphs 15-23 give an overview of Katherine Johnson's life and career. What do you think the author's purpose was in structuring the article this way? Explain your answer. You must answer in complete sentences. What did it mean to be hired by NASA to be a "computer"? What made Katherine Johnson remarkable in the history of the Space Race? Use text evidence to support your answer.