VIDEO

VIDEO

NASA Trailblazer: Katherine Johnson

NASA Trailblazer: Katherine Johnson

Born in the segregated south of 1918, Katherine Johnson was a trailblazer from day one. Not only was she one of the first Black students to integrate West Virginia’s graduate schools, she went on to become a NASA mathematician—sending astronauts into orbit, around the Earth, and to the moon. As a Black woman in STEM, Katherine pushed boundaries, overcame adversity, and continues to inspire generations of young people to reach for the stars.

Grades

5 - 8

Subjects

Earth Science, Astronomy, Mathematics, Physics

Media Credits

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Executive Producer
Vanessa Serrao, National Geographic Society
Senior Producer
Sarah Joseph, National Geographic Society
Coordinating Producer
Katy Daily
Producer and Editor
Taylor Schuelke, National Geographic Society, National Geographic Society
Production Manager
Ashley Green, National Geographic Society
Associate Producer
Ashley Holmes, National Geographic Society
Color Correction
Dustin Sylvia, National Geographic Society
Audio Mix
Kevin Laba
Additional Footage Provided bies
NASA
Lori Epstein
Getty Images
Dr. Ellen Stofan
Donna Wellons
WHRO Public Media
Library of Congress
West Virginia State University
Verizon Media
The College of William & Mary
Trunk Archive
The Obama White House
The John Hope Franklin Center at Duke University
Curiousmarc
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
Hampton History Museum
The HistoryMakers
Special Thanks
Charles F. Bolden, JR
Christina Koch
Danielle N. Lee
Megan Smith
Madison Wellons
Monroe Wellons
Morgan Wellons
other
Last Updated

October 19, 2023

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