TG_Film: Hidden Figures

Hello, Teachers!

PREDICTION / BRAINSTORMING FOR STUDENTS
1. What challenges do you think Katherine Johnson faced when she first joined NASA?
2. How do you think Dorothy Vaughan’s interest in computing changed her career path?
3. What kind of obstacles might Mary Jackson encounter in her quest to become an engineer?
4. How do you think the team at NASA will react to Katherine’s calculations for John Glenn’s mission?
5. What do you think will be the outcome of John Glenn’s orbital flight?

WHAT STUDENTS WILL LEARN

1. The historical context of the Space Race and the Civil Rights Movement in the United States.
 2. The significant contributions of African-American women to NASA and space exploration.
 3. The impact of racial and gender discrimination on individuals and society.
 4. The importance of perseverance, resilience, and determination in overcoming obstacles.
 5. Key mathematical and scientific concepts related to space missions.
 6. The value of teamwork and collaboration in achieving complex goals.
 7. Critical thinking and analytical skills through film analysis.
 8. Communication and interpersonal skills through class discussions and presentations.
 9. Leadership and advocacy skills by studying the actions of the main characters.

KEYWORDS

NASA, Space Race, segregation, discrimination, resilience, perseverance, orbital mechanics, computer programming, teamwork, collaboration, civil rights, inclusion, leadership, advocacy.

A QUICK SUMMARY

“Hidden Figures” tells the inspiring true story of three African-American women mathematicians who worked at NASA during the early years of the U.S. space program. Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson played crucial roles in the success of key NASA missions, including John Glenn’s historic orbital flight. Despite facing systemic racial and gender discrimination, these women exhibited extraordinary resilience, intelligence, and determination. The film highlights their professional achievements and personal struggles, shedding light on the broader context of the Civil Rights Movement and the Space Race.