Lesson Plan

When Computers Wore Skirts: Katherine Johnson, Christine Darden, and the “West Computers”

Curated and Reviewed by Lesson Planet

Did you know that people, known as computers, performed the complex calculations that are now done by electronic computers? Three of these human computers, Katherine Johnson, Christine Darden, and Melba Roy Mouton are featured in a activity about the "West Area Computers," a segregated facility that employed African American women who worked at NASA's Langley Research Center. Young scholars learn about the achievements of these amazing women in a richly detailed activity.

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CCSS: Designed
Instructional Ideas
  • Assign class members to watch the PG-rated, two-hour film Hidden Figures based on the book by Margot Lee Shetterly
Classroom Considerations
  • Requires copies of several worksheets
Pros
  • Includes background articles and videos on both Christine Darden and Katherine Johnson
Cons
  • Links to several of the resources for Katherine Johnson and Christine Darden are broken