Hidden Figures Movie Guide & Reflection Questions PLUS Physics Calculations!

Hidden Figures tells the incredible untold story of Katherine Jonson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson – brilliant African-American women working at NASA who served roles in human computing and engineering. Their brain power helped launch astronaut John Glenn into orbit, a stunning achievement that turned around the space race. The visionary trio crossed all gender and racial lines and inspired generations. Your students will love getting to watch it, and these materials will ensure there is awesome learning happening, too!

This resources includes 4 items:

1) Movie Viewing Guide. A 30 question movie guide to be completed by students as they watch the movie Hidden Figures (2015, PG). Questions are chronological and draw attention to key events in the film. Answer key included.

2) Reflection Questions. Get students thinking! The reflections questions consist of 8 prompts for extended thinking, reflection, and research. Prompt student thinking about a variety of topics, including the meaning of the movie title, civil rights, other hidden figures, automation, cooperation in space, creative liberties in movie making, and inspirational people in their lives. Student answers will vary and open up an opportunity for dialogue.

3) Character Guide. Pictures of the movie characters with their names and the name of the actor portraying them.

4) Physics Exercises. Four pages of mathematical physics exercises with connections to space travel. Including questions on scientific notation, conversions, linear motion, projectile motion, and forces. Students are provided a listing of formulas and conversion factors needed to solve the problems. Answer key included. *If you don't teach Physics or Physical Science, you are probably more interested in just the viewing guide and reflection questions found HERE :)

This movie can be a great introduction or culmination of a unit, or it could even potentially form the framework of an entire unit! Also great to start or end the school year! Connections can readily be made to NGSS MS-ESS1-2, MS-ETS1-1, HS-ETS1-1, HS-ETS1-3, and HS-ESS1-4. STEM teachers can use Hidden Figures to bring attention to the real contributions of women of color to science and engineering, and inspire a greater diversity of students to pursue careers in STEM fields.

While the movie viewing guide and character guide in this bundle are geared at the movie specifically, the reflection questions and physics exercises could be used in conjunction with the book as well. This bundle is here to boost student learning and save you tons of time in creating your own material to go with the movie. I've loved using this movie in class and I'm sure you will too! :)

Have a great year!

~Science Classy

Terms of Use:

This product is intended for classroom and personal use only and is to be used by the original purchaser only. Copying for more than one teacher or classroom is prohibited. This product may not be distributed or displayed digitally for public view. Failure to comply is a copyright infringement and a violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). Be sure to check your school's policy on videos. Hidden Figures is rated PG for thematic elements and some language.

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***If you teach Earth Science or Physics, you might also love this amazing bundle of materials for The Martian Movie!

The Martian Movie - Science Viewing Guide and Lesson Plan Bundle