Classroom Resources  
Student Article

The Women Who Helped Launch Apollo: The Unsung Heroes of the Moon Mission

By: Sue Nelson
Originally Published in  Science Focus

Long before humanity set foot on the Moon, countless women worked behind the scenes, breaking barriers and making history with their vital contributions to the Apollo program.

The article "The Women Who Helped Launch Apollo: The Unsung Heroes of the Moon Mission" from BBC Science Focus reveals the overlooked contributions of women to the Apollo program. It recounts the vital roles played by female engineers, programmers, and seamstresses, such as JoAnn Morgan, Margaret Hamilton, and Judith Love Cohen, whose expertise helped make the Moon landing possible.
Student Article Info

BBC's Science Focus is packed with news, discoveries, ideas and innovations to keep you up-to-speed with the complexities of the fast-moving world around us. Learn more about subscriptions here.

Grades:
3-56-89-12
Subject:
Science
Topic:
Engineering and Technology
Keywords
Apollo programwomen in scienceMoon landingNASAspace explorationwomen in STEM
A photo of NASA’s office showing many male scientists and one female scientist watching the launch of Apollo
© NASA

Most passages are available in three different versions: Level 1 (Grade 3-5), Level 2 (Grade 6-8), and Level 3 (Grade 9-12). Some more complex texts are available only in Level 2 and Level 3. Use the versions that are most appropriate for the students in your class.

Note: The BBC Learning Hub Editorial Team made use of AI tools to create multiple versions of this article, each tailored to different student reading levels. Every version undergoes a thorough review by our BBC Learning editors to ensure accuracy, quality, and appropriateness.

1
Level 1 Reading Passage
Grades: 3-5Lexile Level: 700-800L
Preview
2
Level 2 Reading Passage
Grades: 6-8Lexile Level: 900-1100L
Preview
3
Level 3 Reading Passage
Grades: 9-12Lexile Level: 1100-1300L
Preview
Share: