Hidden Figures Worksheet Answer Key

With the hidden figures worksheet answer key at our disposal, we embark on an extraordinary journey to unravel the captivating stories of unsung heroes. This worksheet delves into the lives and contributions of remarkable individuals whose contributions have left an indelible mark on history, inspiring us to recognize and celebrate their invaluable impact.

The hidden figures worksheet provides a comprehensive overview of the key concepts surrounding these extraordinary individuals, exploring their historical significance and the challenges they faced. By engaging with this worksheet, students gain a deeper understanding of the struggles and triumphs of these hidden figures, fostering an appreciation for their resilience and determination.

Worksheet Overview

The Hidden Figures worksheet delves into the remarkable contributions of African American women who played pivotal roles in NASA’s early space program. It provides a comprehensive exploration of their lives, challenges, and achievements.

The worksheet aims to:

Introduce students to the extraordinary stories of these hidden figures.
Highlight their significant contributions to the field of science and technology.

li>Foster an appreciation for the challenges and triumphs they faced as pioneers in a male-dominated field.

Inspire students to pursue their own passions and break down barriers.

Worksheet Structure

The worksheet is divided into several sections, each focusing on a different aspect of the hidden figures’ experiences:

Biographical Sketches:Provides brief biographies of key hidden figures, including their backgrounds, education, and contributions.
Timeline of Events:Artikels the major milestones in the lives of the hidden figures and their involvement in NASA’s space program.
Challenges and Triumphs:Examines the obstacles the hidden figures faced due to race and gender discrimination, as well as their resilience and determination.
Legacy and Impact:Discusses the lasting impact of the hidden figures’ work on NASA, the space program, and society as a whole.
Discussion Questions:Poses thought-provoking questions to encourage students to reflect on the significance of the hidden figures’ contributions and their relevance to contemporary issues.

Key Concepts

The worksheet explores the hidden figures who made significant contributions to NASA’s space program during the 1950s and 1960s. These figures, primarily African American women, played crucial roles in the development and success of various space missions, despite facing significant societal and institutional barriers.

The key concepts covered in the worksheet include:

The role of hidden figures in NASA’s space program
The historical significance of their contributions
The challenges and obstacles they faced
The impact of their work on the advancement of space exploration

Historical Significance

The hidden figures made groundbreaking contributions to NASA’s space program, which had a profound impact on the history of space exploration. Their work was instrumental in:

Developing the mathematical calculations and computer programs necessary for successful space missions
Analyzing data from satellites and spacecraft, providing crucial insights for mission planning and execution
Breaking down racial and gender barriers, paving the way for future generations of scientists and engineers

Answer Key Structure

The answer key should be organized in a logical and easy-to-navigate manner. The following structure is recommended:

Question Number:Each question in the worksheet should be clearly numbered and listed in the answer key.
Question Text:The full text of each question should be included in the answer key for easy reference.
Correct Answer:The correct answer to each question should be clearly stated and highlighted in some way, such as bold or italics.
Explanation:For more complex questions, a brief explanation of the correct answer can be provided to help students understand the reasoning behind it.

Tips for Using the Answer Key

Review the questions carefully:Before using the answer key, it is important to review the questions in the worksheet to ensure that you understand what is being asked.
Check your work:Use the answer key to check your answers and identify any areas where you need to improve your understanding.
Seek help if needed:If you are struggling to understand a particular question or answer, do not hesitate to seek help from your teacher or a tutor.

Answer Key Table: Hidden Figures Worksheet Answer Key

The Answer Key Table provides a comprehensive overview of the questions and their corresponding answers, explanations, and additional notes. This table is designed to facilitate easy reference and understanding of the concepts covered in the worksheet.

The table includes four columns:

Question:This column presents the original question from the worksheet.
Answer:This column provides the correct answer to the question.
Explanation:This column offers a detailed explanation of the answer, providing the reasoning and logic behind the correct choice.
Additional Notes:This column includes any relevant additional information or notes that may enhance the understanding of the answer.

Expected Output

Question	Answer	Explanation	Additional Notes
1. What was the name of the NASA program that employed African American women as mathematicians?	Space Task Group	The Space Task Group was a precursor to the NASA Space Task Force, which later became the Johnson Space Center.	None
2. Who was the first African American woman to graduate from MIT with a degree in mathematics?	Katherine Johnson	Katherine Johnson was a mathematician who made significant contributions to the US space program.	None
3. What was the name of the mission for which the calculations of the African American women were crucial?	Mercury-Atlas 6	Mercury-Atlas 6 was the first successful American spaceflight to orbit the Earth.	None
4. Who was the first African American woman to become a NASA astronaut?	Mae Jemison	Mae Jemison was a physician and engineer who became the first African American woman to travel into space.	None

Answer Key Content

The answer key provides comprehensive responses to each question in the worksheet. It includes detailed explanations and additional notes to enhance understanding and provide further clarification on the concepts discussed.

Question 1: Who was Katherine Johnson?

Katherine Johnson was a mathematician who worked at NASA and played a pivotal role in the success of several space missions.
She was known for her exceptional computational skills and her contributions to trajectory analysis and orbital mechanics.

Question 2: What was the significance of Dorothy Vaughan’s work?

Dorothy Vaughan was the first African American woman to supervise a group of mathematicians at NASA. She played a crucial role in the development of FORTRAN, a computer programming language that became essential for scientific and engineering calculations.

Question 3: How did Mary Jackson’s determination and perseverance contribute to her career at NASA?, Hidden figures worksheet answer key

Mary Jackson was an engineer who faced significant challenges as an African American woman in the 1950s and 1960s.
She persisted through obstacles and eventually became the first African American woman to work as an engineer at NASA.

Question 4: What was the impact of the hidden figures on the American space program?

The hidden figures made significant contributions to the success of the American space program. Their work in trajectory analysis, orbital mechanics, and computer programming helped pave the way for the moon landing and other space exploration achievements.

Question 5: Why is it important to recognize and celebrate the contributions of women in STEM?

Recognizing and celebrating the contributions of women in STEM is essential for promoting diversity and inclusion in science and technology.
It inspires future generations of women to pursue careers in STEM fields and contributes to a more equitable and just society.

Supplementary Materials

Supplementary materials can enhance the analysis of the Hidden Figures worksheet by providing additional context, background information, and interactive experiences.

These resources can help students deepen their understanding of the contributions of the women featured in the worksheet and the historical context in which they worked.

Articles and Books

Margot Lee Shetterly, Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race(HarperCollins, 2016)
Dava Sobel, The Glass Universe: How the Ladies of the Harvard Observatory Took the Measure of the Stars(Viking, 2016)
Jim Ottaviani and Maris Wicks, Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race(First Second, 2016)

Videos and Documentaries

Hidden Figures(2016 film)
The Untold Story of NASA’s Black Women Mathematicians(PBS documentary)
Black Women in STEM: Hidden No More(TEDx Talk by Kimberly Bryant)

Interactive Simulations

The Hidden Figures Project(NASA website with interactive simulations and activities)
Women in STEM: A Virtual Reality Experience(Google Expeditions)

FAQ Section

What is the purpose of the hidden figures worksheet?

The hidden figures worksheet aims to educate students about the lives and contributions of unsung heroes, particularly those who have been historically marginalized.

How does the answer key help in understanding the worksheet?

The answer key provides detailed explanations and additional notes, enhancing students’ comprehension of the key concepts and historical context presented in the worksheet.