KATHERINE JOHNSON: NASA SCIENTIST
PROGRAM TOOLKIT FOR AMERICAN SPACES
An American Hero
This toolkit is designed for programming at American Spaces to celebrate American excellence and leadership in technology and space exploration and to recognize a great American hero.
photo credit: NASA
RESOURCES
Videos and Digital Media
Hidden Figures (127 minutes)* – Three female African-American mathematicians play a pivotal role in astronaut John Glenn’s launch into orbit while dealing with racial and sex discrimination.
Outlier: The Story of Katherine Johnson (56 minutes) * – This documentary maps the trajectory of this African American girl-wonder whose mathematical genius catapulted astronauts into space. From America’s first attempt at manned space flights to the Space Shuttle program, Johnson was an integral part of NASA. Includes an interview with Johnson, whose life was profiled in the film Hidden Figures.
KEY DEFINITIONS
Apollo missions – U.S. space trips that sent astronauts to the Moon.
national identity
How a country sees itself and what it believes is important.
space program
A national plan to explore space using rockets, astronauts, and technology.
Space Shuttle
A spacecraft used by NASA to travel to space many times.
technological power
The ability of a country to create and use advanced machines and science.
Photo credit: NASA
INTRODUCTION
Katherine Johnson (1918–2020) was an American mathematician who worked for NASA and played a key role in the early U.S. space program. During her 33-year career, she was known for her ability to do very complex calculations by hand and for helping NASA begin using computers. Her work supported the Apollo missions to the Moon, the start of the Space Shuttle program, and early plans for a human mission to Mars. Johnson was one of the first African American women to work as a scientist at NASA. Her contributions were widely recognized with major awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Congressional Gold Medal, and her portrayal in the film Hidden Figures. She is featured on the U.S. Mint’s Hidden Figures Bronze Medal.
LESSON PLAN
NASA Modern Figures Toolkit | NASA
The NASA Modern Figures Toolkit is a collection of resources and educational activities for students in grades K-12. Resources highlighted include videos, historical references, and STEM materials.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- The U.S. space program showed American technological power to the world. How did scientists like Johnson help build this image?
- Why is innovation in math, science, and technology often seen as part of the American national identity?
- Katherine Johnson worked on missions to the Moon and plans for Mars. What do these goals say about how the United States sees its role in the future?
- Her story became famous through books and films like Hidden Figures. How does sharing stories like hers shape how people around the world see the United States?
- What American values—such as hard work, education, equality, or ambition—can we see in Katherine Johnson’s life?
OverDrive Resources
Consider organizing discussions, English conversation clubs, scavenger hunts, and displays about the following books and magazines. These programs and displays can also be an opportunity to promote individual eLibraryUSA accounts. Regularly highlighting one book or magazine on your social media platforms can generate online discussion and spark interest in eLibraryUSA.
Hidden Figures | Overdrive (Libby)
The phenomenal true story of the black female mathematicians at NASA whose calculations helped fuel some of America’s greatest achievements in space. Available as an audiobook and ebook.
Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race | Overdrive (Libby)
Based on the bestselling book and the Academy Award-nominated movie, author Margot Lee Shetterly and award-winning illustrator Laura Freeman tell the inspiring true story of four black women in STEM who helped NASA launch humans into space.
My Remarkable Journey: A Memoir | OverDrive (Libby)
The autobiography of NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson, co-authored with her daughter Joylette Hylick and Katherine Moore, details her life from a child prodigy in West Virginia to a pivotal figure in the Space Race. It highlights her groundbreaking work, how she overcame barriers, and her life after retirement. Available as an audiobook.
Articles
- Katherine Johnson: A Lifetime of STEM | NASA
- Katherine Johnson Biography | NASA
- She Was a Computer When Computers Wore Skirts | NASA
DISCLAIMER
The views expressed in these links and resources do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. government.
* Post may need to procure these films. Not all films are appropriate for all audiences. Coordinators should preview films before showing them. American Spaces have the right to screen Kanopy films (available through eLibraryUSA) at their American Space if the film has public performance rights. Other films must be covered by the MPLC license.
Here is more information on showing films at American Spaces.
Updated May 2026
