Katherine Johnson's Impact on STEM

Katherine Johnson, a pioneering mathematician, overcame racial and gender barriers to make significant contributions to NASA's space missions, including John Glenn's orbit and the Apollo 11 mission. Born in 1918, she excelled in mathematics despite educational segregation. At NASA, she challenged segregation and became a key figure in major projects. After retiring, she advocated for STEM education for Black girls and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Her legacy continues to inspire future generations.

What challenge did Katherine Johnson face in her early education?

• Lack of interest in mathematics

• Language barriers

• Racial segregation in schools

• Financial difficulties

What prompted Katherine Johnson to apply to NASA?

• A scholarship opportunity

• NASA's hiring of women with math experience

• Her passion for teaching

• A family member's suggestion

How did Katherine Johnson prove her capabilities at NASA?

• By writing a book on space exploration

• By leading a team of astronauts

• By correcting an engineer's error

• By designing a new spacecraft

Which major NASA project did Katherine Johnson contribute to?

• The Mars Rover mission

• The Hubble Space Telescope

• John Glenn's orbit around Earth

• The International Space Station

What was significant about Katherine Johnson's final report at NASA?

• It was the first time a woman in her division received credit as an author

• It was the longest report ever written at NASA

• It was the first report to be translated into multiple languages

• It was the first report published by NASA

How did Katherine Johnson support her daughters' education?

• By hiring private tutors

• By homeschooling them

• By sending them to boarding school

• By ensuring they all graduated college

What action did Katherine Johnson take against workplace segregation?

• She wrote a letter to the president

• She organized a protest

• She filed a lawsuit

• She refused to obey segregated rules

After retiring, what cause did Katherine Johnson dedicate her life to?

• Healthcare reform

• Political activism

• STEM education for Black girls

• Environmental conservation

What prestigious award did Katherine Johnson receive in 2015?

• Nobel Prize

• Presidential Medal of Freedom

• Pulitzer Prize

• Congressional Gold Medal

How did Katherine Johnson's work impact future Black women in STEM?

• By opening doors for them to establish STEM careers

• By writing a book about her experiences

• By creating a scholarship fund

• By founding a STEM university