Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race
What’s inside...
The book tells the story of four African-American women who were mathematicians and engineers in NASA during the Space Race. Their contributions were vital to the success of the space missions, but their stories were largely untold due to the racial and gender discrimination of the time. Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson, and Christine Darden were exceptional mathematicians who made significant contributions to NASA's achievements, including providing calculations for America's first space journeys. Despite facing racial and gender barriers, they persevered and used their brilliance to change the world. This illustrated picture book edition highlights how these women, known as 'colored computers,' succeeded in a challenging STEM-based career by overcoming obstacles.
Age
6-10
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Katherine Johnson
Mary Jackson
Christine Darden
Dorothy Vaughan
Discussion points
What challenges did the women in the book face and how did they overcome them?
Why do you think teamwork was important for the success of the space missions?
How did the achievements of these women change the way the world viewed them and others like them?
What qualities do you admire in these women and why?
If you could ask any of the women from the book a question, what would it be?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to think about the perseverance and determination shown by the women in the story by relating it to their own experiences of overcoming difficulties.
Discuss the importance of diversity and teamwork, and how different perspectives can lead to greater success.
Help your child understand the historical context of the story and how it relates to current events.
Praise your child for their insights and encourage them to think about how they can apply the lessons from the book in their own life.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Perseverance in the face of adversity
Explanation: The book showcases the challenges the four African American women mathematicians faced and overcame during a time of racial and gender discrimination.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of persisting through difficulties and not giving up despite facing obstacles, whether in their studies, sports, or personal goals.
Example Lesson: The value of education
Explanation: The story emphasizes how education played a crucial role in the lives of these women, allowing them to make significant contributions to the space race.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to take their studies seriously and see education as a tool for opening up opportunities and achieving their dreams.
Example Lesson: Teamwork and collaboration
Explanation: The women worked together, combining their expertise to achieve a common goal, demonstrating the power of teamwork.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by engaging in group activities, learning to cooperate, and valuing each member’s contribution in school projects or team sports.
Example Lesson: Breaking stereotypes
Explanation: The protagonists challenge the prevalent racial and gender stereotypes of their time by excelling in a male-dominated field.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to challenge societal stereotypes and encourages them to pursue their passions irrespective of societal expectations.
Example Lesson: Courage to innovate
Explanation: The book highlights how these women used innovative mathematical calculations to propel the success of the space missions.
Real-World Application: Children are inspired to think creatively and be innovative, understanding that their unique ideas could potentially lead to significant breakthroughs.