Oscar-nominated film Hidden Figures tells the incredible (previously) untold story of three brilliant African-American women who worked at NASA. Through their pioneering work, Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson were, in fact, the brains behind John Glenn’s orbit into space. Since the Christmas Day release of this film, you may have been asking yourself: How can such remarkable contributions made by women in the fields of science and space exploration be forgotten by history? How are we supposed to tell our daughters and granddaughters that they can be anything they want to be, that there are no limits in what they can accomplish, when our own nation’s narrative fails to acknowledge the work of these remarkable female scientists and engineers? When retired mathematician Johnson, 98, the only surviving employee of the three, made her appearance at this Sunday night’s Oscars, it was one of the most moving moments of the awards ceremony. Introduced as a “true NASA and American hero,” she sat in her wheelchair, alongside the lead actresses of the film, while the crowd erupting in a stand ovation.
She simply responded, “Thank you very much.”We are all just so sorry that this acknowledgement is long overdue. Rocket ships don’t launch themselves, and they don’t take off from the merits of men alone. The year is 2017, right? It’s about time we demanded that the overlooked achievements made by the women of NASA be celebrated. We need to provide these role models for all the little girls out there who dream big. This holiday season, a new LEGO set called ‘Women of NASA’ will be hitting shelves. The exciting news was announced yesterday, congratulating science editor and writer, Maia Weinstock, came up with the idea for the project. The deputy editor of MIT News pitched this set as part of the LEGO IDEAS series which allows fans to propose new set concepts. Weinstock reveals that she was inspired to create the set “to help young ones and adults alike learn about the history of women.” In this case, “those [women] who’ve made a big impact through their work at NASA.”
THANK YOU to all who supported this project… Having @LEGO bring your vision to kids everywhere is a dream come true — and you helped!! — Maia Weinstock (@20tauri) February 28, 2017 The set will feature five notable Women of NASA including Sally Ride (the first American woman in space), Nancy Grace Roman (known as the “mother” of the Hubble Space Telescope), Mae Jemison (the first African-American woman in space), Margaret Hamilton and Katherine Johnson (whose work helped put the first people on the moon). Haven’t heard of those other four women of NASA before now? Nope, neither have I. We have a long way to go in our own race for recognition, ladies. That’s why I think I speak for all women, and mothers, when I (in turn) say to LEGO, Thank you. Thank you for paying tribute to the great minds who contributed to our milestones in space, thank you for making certain that history will never again forget the leaps and bounds these women have made in their respective fields, and thank you for giving us all another reason to tell fellow women in our life to never stop shooting for the stars.
Lego to unveil 'Women of NASA' sets this weekLego to unveil 'Women of NASA' sets this weekAA(NEWSCHANNEL 3) - Lego is paying a big tribute to five female scientists that changed history.The Women of NASA Lego set is being unveiled this week.It features women who played vital roles in the U.S. space program.This includes Sally Ride, who was the first American woman in space; Nancy Grace Roman, known as the mother of the Hubble space telescope; Mae Jemison, the first African-American woman in space; and Margaret Hamilton and Katherine Johnson, who helped put the first people on the moon.The sets are due to be released later this year.closeIf you have a LEGO� robotics kit, then this site provides free building instructions and downloadable programs for lots of fun projects. Projects designed for the young and young at heart! kit is required, no extra parts are needed. Full building instructions with color No programming experienced required! download and use the programs provided.
Know some programming but want to learn more? Study the fully commented programs to learn how they work, modify them, and use what you learn in your ownEditor’s Note : This article has been republished from 2009 in honor of Star Wars Day, thus some of the prices may be off. Star Wars + LEGO = A Geek’s Dream. And in this economy, no one can afford this stuff. But that won’t stop us from drooling over it. Let’s cut to the chase: With 3104 pieces and 3 feet long, this is the daddy of the Star Wars LEGO universe. Costs between $430 and $1000. Or, you get get a much cheaper one here. I’m finding this going for between $600 and $1000, probably because it’s a ‘retired’ item. Regardless, it isn’t exactly the Millennium Falcon so no clue who’d drop this kind of coin on a ship like this. Okay, now we’re talking. This MUST-HAVE goes from $400-$900. But if you don’t want this one, get this one: Costs between $400 and $500. I think the first one is better.
I found another one for about $800: Millennium Falcon Set 7190.The Death Star includes 24 minifigures and droids, and even the trash compactor! Costs between $400 and $1000. Of course, this one is for playing inside the Death Star. However, you can also get this one: I suppose this one is just for blowing up other planets, not playing rescue-the-princess. Costs between $260 and $430. For you Lando Calrissian lovers, get your heavenly Cloud City, which features 7 minifigures for $320-$700. The Darth Maul LEGO Bust. Costs between $160 and $400, but there’s one problem with this. Jabba the Hutt is hideous for a LEGO. Let’s take a closer look:(Psst… buy him here) Here’s a more affordable one, complete with Jabba and Princess Leia: Jabba’s Palace. And don’t forget Jabba’s Prize (with Boba Fett, Han Solo in carbonite, and an ugly Gamorrean Guard) and Jabba’s Message (C-3P0, R2-D2 and Bib Fortuna). Anything involving the AT-AT is cool. Seeing it for sale between $120 and $500.
You can also get a Motorized Walking AT-AT. Seeing this 14-inch Jedi Master between $175 and $326. I like this because it comes with four ships, and Darth Vader. But I gotta say, this one looks cooler: Running between $300 and $700. There are many other really expensive Star Wars LEGO sets (find them here), but these are the most interesting I could find. Now, let’s move onto the more affordable options… the minifigures sold separately. C-3PO (Golden, Limited Edition of 10,000) Is it wrong that I think even the LEGO version of this is hot? You can also get her with a lot more clothes on (in her Hoth outfit). Why is this guy so popular? Also get him on a key chain or in one of the Jabba sets above. Or, buy him with his ship, Slave 1. Even the LEGO version of Vader is awesome. And if you get him, you should also get him when he is damaged, when he is a kid, and when he is a teen. Darth Maul with Silver Double-Sided Lightsaber Even the LEGO version of Maul sucks.
This one rocks… just like the original toys, you’ve gotta get a bunch of these and line them up behind Vader. Also get Stormtrooper (Black), Clone Trooper (Red), Kashyyyk Trooper, Scout Trooper, or Snowtrooper. I wish they made a whole Wookie army of LEGO characters. Imperial Royal Guard with Force Pike Something about this guy is really cool, though he’s just a minor character. If you get him, then you should also get Emperor Palpatine. Or, you can get both the emperor and Vader in this set called Final Duel I. Or, if you’re too cheap to buy the gold one, get the ordinary one. This figure is featured in the image, LEGO C3PO, I’m Your Father And if you get the C-3PO, you’ve gotta get R2-D2. I love the Ewoks, but this was the only one I could find. Wish there were more. Whoever this guy is… Also get him in his Tatooine outfit. Han Solo (Brown Legs with Jacket) Yoda – LEGO Star Wars Figure Obi Wan Kenobi (Old Ben) Believe it or not, there are many more that you can find on Amazon.