Katherine Johnson’s final texte
Introduction:
Hello everyone! Today, we will talk about Katherine Johnson, but first we add a little game to the
presentation. It's very easy, all you have to do is find where Katherine is in each slide as fast as possible to
get the most points to win something at the end ! Isn't it fun? Now, let's start. (Where is Katherine?) Firstly,
we’re going to talk about Katherine’s biography, then about her contributions, we’ll give you some examples
of her work, and we will finish by a conclusion of course.
Biography :
(Where is Katherine?) Johnson is a woman who made history in space exploration thanks to her genius in
mathematics. She worked for over 30 years at NASA and contributed to historic missions like Apollo 11. But
before becoming a recognized scientist, Katherine Johnson had to overcome many obstacles. She was
born on August 26, 1918, in West Virginia, in the US. From a young age, she showed an exceptional talent
for mathematics and at just 14, she graduated from high school, which was rare at the time, especially for a
Black girl. She continued her studies at West Virginia University and was the first African-American woman
to attend at this school. She earned a degree in mathematics and physics at the age of 18. In 1953, she
was hired by NACA (the predecessor of NASA) and joined a group of women known as the "human
computers". Their job was to do complex calculations by hand that computers couldn't perform yet. Despite
working in a highly male-dominated and segregated environment, Katherine Johnson stood out for her
talent, precision, and determination, even if she worked with such little technology and recognition at the
time. She worked there until her retirement in 1986, after more than 30 years of service. She passed away
in 2020 at the age of 101.
Her contributions :
(Where is Katherine?) Katherine Johnson’s work focused on areas like analytic geometry, orbital
mechanics and differential calculus. Analytical geometry is a branch of mathematics that uses coordinate
systems to represent geometric figures and solve geometric problems using algebraic equations. It
combines concepts from geometry and algebra : It enables physicists to describe the movements,
trajectories and speeds of objects such as satellites and planets, and to simulate their behaviour. (Where is
Katherine?) Orbital mechanics is a branch of physics that studies the movement of objects in space, such
as rockets and satellites. It is based on Newton's laws of universal gravitation. It is used to understand and
predict the movement of celestial bodies and to analyse planetary orbits, which is essential for calculating
launch trajectories and developing positioning technologies. (Where is Katherine?) Differential calculus is
basically a way to study how things change. When a rocket launches, its speed and direction are changing
all the time, and to calculate the precise thrust needed and the exact path the rocket should take. They
need to know the instantaneous rate of change of the rocket's position to make accurate adjustments. It's
crucial for landing or even understanding how the intensity of light changes as it passes through a lens.
Examples of her work:
(Where is Katherine?) The mathematical equations that Johnson developed were crucial for the success of
NASA’s space program. She became the first woman to author a technical report for the agency, titled
Determination of Azimuth Angle at Burnout for Placing a Satellite Over a Selected Earth Position.
(Where is Katherine?) Some of her most famous achievements include:
● Mercury-Atlas 6 mission (1962): She calculated the trajectory for John Glenn, the first American to
orbit the Earth. Glenn insisted that Katherine personally verify the computer-generated calculations
before launching. He famously said: “Get the girl. If she says it’s okay, then I’m ready to go.”
● Apollo 11 mission (1969): She helped calculate the trajectories that allowed the lunar module to
land on the Moon and then return to Earth. Her calculations included entry angles into the
atmosphere, launch and return speeds, and rendezvous coordinates between the modules.
These missions required extreme mathematical precision. A single calculation mistake could cost the
astronauts their lives. Katherine Johnson showed that mathematics is not just abstract theory, but a
concrete tool for achieving scientific feats.
Conclusion :
(Where is Katherine?) Katherine Johnson didn’t just make history in science; she also paved the way for
generations of women and minorities in scientific fields. In 2015, she received the Presidential Medal of
Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States. In 2016, her story was told in the movie "Hidden
Figures", which brought her journey to the public's attention. In 2021, she was inducted into the National
Women's Hall of Fame. Today, schools, buildings, and even a NASA satellite bear her name in tribute to
her work and impact. She has become a symbol of excellence, perseverance, and equality.
Katherine Johnson proved that with talent, passion, and determination, anyone can overcome barriers. She
showed that mathematics can achieve the impossible, and that everyone, regardless of their background,
can contribute to extraordinary projects.
(Where is Katherine?) There's so much to say about this incredible woman who changed the world for
many. Thank you for listening and don(t hesitate to ask any questions.
