Teach by example . It ’ s a philosophy that ’ s as old as time itself . A group of about 60 UCPS middle and high school students learned some valuable lessons , courtesy of the big screen , by watching the examples set by three courageous African American women who worked for NASA in the 1960s .
Students witnessed not only acts of courage during a time when standing up for your rights could be dangerous , but also the amazing possibilities one can attain from a STEM education courtesy of the movie “ Hidden Figures .”
“ I think it ’ s a remarkable movie ,” said UCPS Chief Communications Officer Tahira Stalberte , who conceived and organized the event , which was sponsored by the UCPS CTE program and NCG Cinema in Monroe .
“ I think it will inspire students who want to pursue non-traditional careers or students who have an interest in math or science ,” Stalberte said . “ I think it will help them understand how far they can go with careers in those areas .”
The students , ( about 30 middle and 30 high school ), were mostly Career and Technical Education students .
STEM , an acronym for Science , Technology , Engineering and Mathematics , offers education that can lead to such STEM-related careers as aerospace engineering , astrophysics , biochemistry , computer science , nanotechnology , neurobiology and nuclear physics .
The movie portrays three African-American female mathematicians , ( Mary Jackson , Katherine Johnson and Dorothy Vaughan ), who worked for NASA in the midst of the Civil Rights movement of the1960s . They were known as “ computers in skirts .”
Katherine Johnson ’ s math skills were so accomplished that before John Glenn rocketed into space in 1962 on Friendship 7 , he asked that she be allowed to come up with the calculations required to bring him down safely from his orbital spaceflight .
“ When you see places like NASA , you always see how the men are working there , but it ’ s amazing to see African American women working there and how they fought to get their place that they so much deserved ,” said Monroe Middle sixth grader Miko Long .
“ Math and science have always interested me so this movie made me want to relearn math again and go on to Khan Academy ( an online STEM academy ). I want to try to get these experiences so I can become someone great , make something great of myself .”
Monroe High School senior Zephaniah Wall was so inspired by the movie , he saw it three times . “ I think it ’ s very empowering , not just for women but it relates to me as in black culture . I didn ’ t know that women helped put a man in space . That ’ s important to know . It inspired me to know that you can dream big and do big things .”
“ My favorite part of the movie was when ( Mary Jackson ) wanted to be an engineer and they told her she couldn ’ t because of her color ,” said Monroe High junior Essence Hamilton . “ It makes me look back at when that was a struggle and how much we have now .”
Jackson got a court order that allowed her to join engineering courses , previously prohibited to African Americans , so she could advance in the NASA program .
6 • Mar / Apr 2017 • Parent Teacher Magazine
‘ Hidden Figures ’ adds up to inspirational experience for UCPS students
Monroe High School students pause for a Kodak moment prior to going to see the movie “ Hidden Figures ,” which depicts the lives of three courageous African American women who worked for NASA in the 1960s .
Monroe High junior Essence Hamilton said the movie made her even more determined to pursue a career as an engineer , a dream she already held close .
“ When I go to college , I want to be a mechanical engineer ,” Essence said . “ I want to work with the Air Force . I know for sure I could build up our country ’ s defenses and make it safer for air travel . I know next year , I want to take engineering courses .”
Just prior to the movie , Monroe pediatrician Dr . Mary Lindsay- Barber , spoke to students about the opportunities that exist in science and math .
“ Science is everywhere in the world around us , and technology is continuously expanding into every aspect of our lives ,” she told students . “ STEM careers are in high demand and pay well .”
“ I walked away with the knowledge that anything is possible if you put your mind to it , never give up , and no matter what ’ s going on , just keep trying and keep pushing , and your dream will come true ,” said Anija Wright , a junior at Monroe High School .
— This article was provided by the Union County Public Schools Communications Office .