Katherine Johnson Facts For Kids
Katherine Johnson was a famous American mathematician who achieved incredible things in her lifetime. She was born on August 26, 1918, in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, and grew up at a time when it was difficult for women, especially women of color, to pursue a career in science and math.
Here are some fascinating facts about this incredible woman that every kid should know:
1. Katherine Johnson showed a talent for mathematics from an early age. As a child, she was fascinated by numbers and was always eager to challenge herself with complex mathematical problems.
2. Despite facing discrimination and racism, Katherine Johnson graduated from high school at the age of 14 with top honors. She went on to attend college and eventually earned a degree in mathematics.
3. Katherine Johnson worked for NASA for more than three decades, starting in 1953. She was part of a team of female mathematicians who calculated the trajectories for the first space missions.
4. Katherine Johnson is best known for her work on the Mercury missions. She calculated the trajectories for Alan Shepard’s 1961 flight, which made him the first American to enter space.
5. Katherine Johnson was also involved in the Apollo missions. She calculated the trajectory that allowed Apollo 11 to enter and exit lunar orbit during the historic moon landing in 1969.
6. In 2015, Katherine Johnson was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States. The award recognized her contributions to American space exploration.
7. Katherine Johnson’s story was also featured in the book and movie “Hidden Figures,” which highlighted the contributions of female African-American mathematicians to the early space program. The movie was a critical and commercial success and helped bring attention to the work of these remarkable women.
Katherine Johnson’s work revolutionized American space exploration and paved the way for women and minorities in science and mathematics. Her legacy continues to inspire future generations of mathematicians, scientists, and space enthusiasts around the world.