Grade 8 Math Book · Math Stories & Mathematicians
Hidden Figures Young Readers' Edition
by Margot Lee Shetterly
The true story of Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson and Christine Darden, Black women mathematicians whose calculations helped NASA send astronauts into space.
Why it's useful
An inspiring true story that shows math as a powerful career.
- Real math, real stakes. Their calculations decided whether missions succeeded.
- Persistence. The women overcame unfair barriers to do work they loved.
- Great for discussion. Connects math with history and social studies.
Try it in class or at home
- Who did what? Students research one of the four women and share.
- Math in space. Look at how angles and speed matter for a launch or landing.
- Careers chat. List jobs that use math every day.