Hidden figures in the American Space Race

Who were the ‘Hidden Figures’ in the American Space Race?

Who calculated the flight trajectories of NASA during the Space Race? The African-American women Katherine Johnson, Mary Jackson and Dorothy Vaughan were fundamental to these historic moments. The autobiographical drama ‘Hidden Figures’ directed by Theodore Melfi, sheds light on their work. CineXjenza uses the medium of film to inspire discussions on science.

‘Hidden Figures’ tells the story of Katherine Johnson, Mary Jackson and Dorothy Vaughan and their work with Project Mercury, the first human spaceflight programme of the US. Living during segregation in America, the three African-American women are required by the currently all white team to succeed in their mission. However they meet the laws of segregation and racism at every turn whilst helping the NASA team calculate the critical flight trajectories.

After the movie, mathematician Prof. Irene Sciriha Aquilina (Department of Mathematics, University of Malta) will lead a discussion on the maths behind the space race how the view of women in science has changed over the years and the Apollo 11 moon landing. Snacks and refreshments will be served during the discussion.

CineXjenza is aided by the STEAM Summer School. It is run by the Malta Chamber of Scientists and S-Cubed - Science Students' Society, in collaboration with Spazju Kreattiv.

Wine and light refreshments will be served during the discussion.

Date and time: Tuesday, 19 November 2019, 7pm Venue: Spazju Kreattiv Cinema

Price: Free entrance

Duration: 127 minutes

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wfrDhgUMGI