Get to Know
Katherine Johnson
Discover why we turned Katherine into a superhero
ABOUT KATHERINE
Superhero Backstory
Katherine has a great sense of navigation, which allows her to know where people and things are.
A mathematical whizz kid, Katherine grew up in West Virginia. Her greatest skill has proven to be her ability to find people and objects no matter where they are. She was a strong and inspirational leader who worked tirelessly to save the world in any way she could.
A mathematical whizz kid, Katherine grew up in West Virginia. Her greatest skill has proven to be her ability to find people and objects no matter where they are. She was a strong and inspirational leader who worked tirelessly to save the world in any way she could.
Creola Katherine Johnson
Born: 1918
Died: 2020
Occupation: Mathematician
Nationality: American
Katherine was born as Creola Katherine Coleman in West Virginia.
Katherine was advanced for her age and at age ten she was ready to enter high school. She excelled in mathematics and became very interested in astronomy. After attending West Virginia State College she went on to teach until 1953 when Katherine applied for a position at NACA (now NASA). Katherine helped to calculate the trajectory for the 1969 Apollo 11 flight to the Moon.
Find out more about her in this great video by NASA
Died: 2020
Occupation: Mathematician
Nationality: American
Katherine was born as Creola Katherine Coleman in West Virginia.
Katherine was advanced for her age and at age ten she was ready to enter high school. She excelled in mathematics and became very interested in astronomy. After attending West Virginia State College she went on to teach until 1953 when Katherine applied for a position at NACA (now NASA). Katherine helped to calculate the trajectory for the 1969 Apollo 11 flight to the Moon.
Find out more about her in this great video by NASA
Top Quarkz
Katherine features in our signature card game, Top Quarkz. The game supports development of maths, literacy and decision making skills all while learning about some of the most impressive scientific discoveries throughout history.
We've explained the drawing and her playing card below so you can learn more about both her superhero and her real-life identity.
We've explained the drawing and her playing card below so you can learn more about both her superhero and her real-life identity.
TOP QUARKZ CARD EXPLAINED
We've given Katherine the power to sense where people and things are
The constellation shown here is a nod of our superhero hat to the work Katherine did to help take us to the stars.
Superpower
Discovery
Orbital mechanics is the study of how objects move in space. Katherine used this knowledge to help plan space missions
Katherine was born in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia
Location
SideKick
Mae Jemison, like Katherine, is passionate about space and was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame
Any type of Metal shield can stop Katherine from using her powers.
Weakness
Each drawing we create has one or more hidden treasure(s) about our superheroes' life experiences, depictions in art, jobs or discoveries. Did you find the ones hidden in this drawing?
We have packed a lot into our Top Quarkz playing cards - from amazing imagined superpowers to biographical information and hidden treasures.
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
What is Mathematics?
A mathematician is someone who uses their knowledge of mathematics to solve mathematical problems. Mathematics is concerned with numbers, data, quantity, structure, space, models, and change. Mathematics includes the study of such topics as algebra and geometry.
Video credit: SimplyInfo
Video credit: SimplyInfo
Learn more about the incredible life and achievements of Katherine Johnson in this great video created by NASA.
Video credit: NASA
Video credit: NASA
Learn more about Katherine
What is Orbital Mechanics?
This great little video explains the basic space travel visually, without any math or difficult terminology.
Video credit: Exploring Space
Video credit: Exploring Space
Fun Facts on Project Mercury and Apollo 11
1. The first Mercury "astronaut" was a monkey . On 4 December 1959, a monkey flew to a height of 85 kilometres (53 miles).
2. The mobile phone in your pocket is more powerful than Apollo 11's computers.
3. Apollo 11 landed in the wrong place! Apollo 11 didn't touch down at its intended landing site.
4. NASA hadn't fully worked out all the challenges the astronauts might face when attempting to go to the bathroom.
2. The mobile phone in your pocket is more powerful than Apollo 11's computers.
3. Apollo 11 landed in the wrong place! Apollo 11 didn't touch down at its intended landing site.
4. NASA hadn't fully worked out all the challenges the astronauts might face when attempting to go to the bathroom.
Like what you do, and then you will do your best.
Katherine Johnson
Counting on Katherine - by Helaine Becker & Dow Phumiruk
What was the Mercury Mission?
Katherine calculated the launch window for the 1961 Mercury mission. find out more about Project Mercury in this SciShow video.
Want to watch the 1969 Moonwalk?
Katherine also helped to calculate the trajectory for the 1969 Apollo 11 flight to the Moon. Watch the historic NASA footage of the Apollo 11 Moonwalk.
ACTIVITY
MAKE YOUR OWN HOVER CRAFT
STEP 1: Poke several holes in the plastic soda bottle top with the thumbtack.
STEP 2: Ask an adult to use the glue gun to glue the edge of the bottle top to the center of the CD, right over the hole. Make sure it's secure.
STEP 3: Blow up the balloon. Twist the neck of the balloon to keep it inflated and pull the lip of the balloon over the edge of the bottle cap.
STEP 4: Let it go!
STEP 2: Ask an adult to use the glue gun to glue the edge of the bottle top to the center of the CD, right over the hole. Make sure it's secure.
STEP 3: Blow up the balloon. Twist the neck of the balloon to keep it inflated and pull the lip of the balloon over the edge of the bottle cap.
STEP 4: Let it go!
What you will need
- An old CD
- Thumbtack
- Glue gun
- Plastic Soda Bottle top
- 1 Balloon
Download a pdf of the activity here
As the balloon deflates the force of the air pushes through the holes in the bottle top and against the surface of the CD. This creates a cushion on air over which the CD glides freely.
DISCOVER MORE
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