Katherine Johnson: Trailblazing Space Exploration and Mathematic Research

Rachel Schenck

During her remarkable century long life, Katherine Johnson developed an everlasting legacy that continues to stimulate interest in STEM-related fields in current generations. From her humble beginnings in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia to her assumption of the pivotal role of NASA’s “human computer” during the Space Race, Katherine’s journey is embedded with traits of unrelenting determination and the tireless pursuit of excellence. Through her accomplishments in her extended education and tenure at NASA, Katherine shattered the societal, gender and racial barriers set before her and helped propel the nation into the depths of space. In this project, we will examine how Katherine Johnson performed groundbreaking calculations for the initial Mercury and Apollo space missions that pioneered paths for future women and minorities in STEM.

• Rachel Schenck is from Martinsburg, West Virginia and graduated from Spring Mills High School. She is a junior mathematics major and plans to pursue a Master's Degree in mechanical engineering after graduating from Lander.