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History of NASA


 

The women "computers" pose for a group photo in 1953.

Shavin, N. (2016, April 15). NASA’s 'Rocket girls' are no longer forgotten history. Smithsonian Magazine. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/nasas-rocket-girls-are-no-longer-forgotten-history-180958791/


 

Videos

At a time when American space exploration was dominated by men, mathematician Katherine Johnson broke through gender and racial barriers to help change our understanding of the cosmos forever.

Katherine Johnson: Trailblazing NASA mathematician [Video]. (2022). ClickView. https://clickv.ie/w/_Zav
Series Women and the American Story


 

In her book Hidden Figures, author Margot Lee Shetterly gives name and voice to the African-American women who worked as human "computers" in the space program. 

Blair, E. (2016, December 16). 'Hidden figures' no more: Meet the Black women who helped send America to space. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2016/12/16/505569187/hidden-figures-no-more-meet-the-black-women-who-helped-send-america-to-space


 

This quick history lesson is all about the women scientists behind NASA's historic achievements, from John Glenn's first orbit with Friendship 7 to Apollo 11's mission to the moon.

Twinkl Educational Publishing. (2021, September 18). Women scientists behind NASA's greatest achievements | Quick history lesson | Twinkl. YouTube. https://youtu.be/Y5_C_sO9rPE

Compiled and created by Luciana Cavallaro May 2023