national aeronautics and space administration

"Before John Glenn orbited Earth, or Neil Armstrong walked on the Moon, a group of dedicated female mathematicians known as 'human computers' used pencils, slide rules and adding machines to calculate the numbers that would launch rockets, and astronauts, into space. Among these problem-solvers were a group of exceptionally talented African American women, some of the brightest minds of their generation..."--Amazon.com.

Explores the true story of four African American female mathematicians recruited by the U.S. government during World War II to work at the Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory. Their job involved being "human computers," using pencils, slide rulers, and adding machines to calculate the numbers that would allow rockets and astronauts to be launched out of the atmosphere.

"What do people do at NASA (and in outerspace)? Readers pick from eight different scenarios and experience "next best thing to being there yourself" opportunities for interactive career exploration. Sidebars promote additional learning activities and independent reaserch"--.

Contains excerpts from government documents and scientific reports that provide insight into the achievements and failures of the U.S. space program.

Presents a behind-the-scenes look at the Curiosity mission to Mars, highlighting the people responsible, the rover's capabilities, and the mission's results.

"Before John Glenn orbited the earth, or Neil Armstrong walked on the moon, a group of dedicated female mathematicians known as -human computers- used pencils, slide rules, and adding machines to calculate the numbers that would launch rockets, and astronauts, into space. This book brings to life the stories of Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson, and Christine Darden, four African-American women who lived through the civil rights era, the Space Race, the Cold War, and the movement for gender equality, and whose work forever changed the face of NASA and the country"--Amazon.com.

After being assigned a space-related school project, five students go missing and authorities fear Johnson Space Center may be the place to look for them.

"Before John Glenn orbited Earth, or Neil Armstrong walked on the Moon, a group of dedicated female mathematicians known as 'human computers' used pencils, slide rules and adding machines to calculate the numbers that would launch rockets, and astronauts, into space. Among these problem-solvers were a group of exceptionally talented African American women, some of the brightest minds of their generation."--Dust jacket.

"Some said it was too dangerous to fly. Others insisted the shuttle must take off. Lies, pressure, and faulty parts all played a terrible part in the explosion of the Challenger space shuttle in 1986. Through powerful narrative storytelling, follow the tales of people who experienced the tragedy firsthand. Meets Common Core standards for narrative nonfiction and exploring multiple accounts of an event"--Provided by the publisher.