Join us for a discussion of Margot Lee Shetterly’s Hidden Figures, the phenomenal true story of the black female mathematicians whose calculations fueled some of America's greatest achievements in space, our Community Read book for September.
Can’t make it to the Library for the discussions? Discussion questions are available below for those wishing to host a discussion in their book club, classroom, civic organization, or other group.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Do you think NASA was a socially progressive organization in 1961? Why or why not?
In what ways does the space race parallel the civil rights movement? What kinds of freedoms are being explored in each?
What kinds of employment opportunities were available to African American women at that time? Why is the opportunity for a job at Langley so unique to Dorothy?
Hidden Figures uncovers the story of the women whose work at NACA and NASA helped shape and define U.S. space exploration. Taken as a whole, why is their story significant to our cultural, social, and scientific history?
Who are the hidden figures in our community today? Why do we not see them?
Learn more about the contributions of African Americans and women to space exploration, science mathematics!
ADULT
Black Wings: Courageous Stories of African Americans in Aviation and Space History / Von Hardesty
Changing the Equation: 50+ US Black Women in STEM / Tonya Bolden
Chasing Space: An Astronaut's Story of Grit, Grace, and Second Chances / Leland Melvin
Counting the Stars: The Story of Katherine Johnson, NASA Mathematician / Lesa Cline-Ransome
The Glass Universe: How the Ladies of the Harvard Observatory Took the Measure of the Stars / Dava Sobel
Headstrong: 52 Women Who Changed Science-- and The World / Rachel Swaby
Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race / Margot Lee Shetterly.
Hidden Human Computers: The Black Women of NASA / By Sue Bradford Edwards and Duchess Harris
My Remarkable Journey: A Memoir / Katherine Johnson with Joylette Hylick and Katherine Moore
Rise of the Rocket Girls: The Women Who Propelled Us, From Missiles to the Moon to Mars / Nathalia Holt.
Top Secret Rosies: The Female Computers of World War II (Hoopla video)
Wonder Women of Science: Twelve Geniuses Who Are Currently Rocking Science, Technology, and the World / Tiera Fletcher and Ginger Rue
YA
Bessie Coleman: First Female African American and Native American Pilot / Cathleen Small
JUV
Bessie Coleman / Riley Flynn
Blast Off into Space Like Mae Jemison / written by Caroline Moss; illustrated by Sinem Erkas
Find Where the Wind Goes: Moments From My Life / Dr. Mae Jemison
Fly High!: The Story of Bessie Coleman / Louise Borden and Mary Kay Kroeger ; illustrated by Teresa Flavin
Mary Jackson / Virginia Loh-Hagan; illustrated by Jeff Bane
Science Tool Kits
Makey Makey: An Invention Kit for Everyone!
Human Brain Model
Celestron Handheld digital Microscope
ProAmScope Stereo Microscope
Human Heart Model
Arduino Starter Kit
Orion StarBlast 4.5 Telescope
Life Cycle of a Frog
Life Cycle of Plants
Life Cycle of a Chicken
Resonance Bowl
Electric Snap Circuits
Research Databases available at www.MidPointeLibrary.org
Most of these premium materials are available from home, work, or school (unless otherwise noted) in addition to the library. When connecting to the research databases remotely, you will need your library card number and PIN.
African American Heritage:African American online genealogy resource; includes federal census records, marriage and cohabitation records, military draft and service records, registers of slaves and free(d) persons of color, and Freedman's Bank.
Computer Source: Magazine and journal articles on current trends and information regarding computers and technology.
Science Reference Center:Full-text science articles from magazines, encyclopedias, and reference works designed for the student researcher.
