Katherine Johnson: A Human Computer Worksheet
A Grade 5 social studies worksheet focusing on the life and contributions of Katherine Johnson, the NASA mathematician.
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Katherine Johnson: A Human Computer
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Read the information about Katherine Johnson and answer the questions that follow.
Katherine Johnson was an American mathematician whose calculations of orbital mechanics were critical to the success of the first and subsequent U.S. crewed spaceflights. During her 35-year career at NASA and its predecessor, she earned a reputation for mastering complex manual calculations and helped pioneer the use of computers to perform tasks. She was known for her accuracy, and John Glenn famously asked her to recheck the electronic computer's calculations before his orbital mission.
1. What was Katherine Johnson's profession?
Astronaut
Teacher
Mathematician
Engineer
2. Which government agency did Katherine Johnson work for?
FBI
NASA
CIA
Department of Education
3. Katherine Johnson's calculations were critical to the success of U.S. crewed .
4. John Glenn asked Katherine Johnson to recheck the computer's calculations.
5. Katherine Johnson worked for NASA for only 5 years.
True
False
6. Katherine Johnson was known for her accuracy in calculations.
True
False
7. Why was Katherine Johnson considered a "human computer"?