This post will answer the questions found at the end of the document
1. PART A: Which TWO statements express the central ideas of the text?
- Hamilton developed important software that was integral to landing
astronauts on the moon and returning them safely to Earth. - The coding that Hamilton took part in on the Apollo program established software engineering, a necessary branch of computer science.
2. PART B: Which TWO details from the text best support the answers to Part A?
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Without it, Neil Armstrong wouldn’t have made it to the moon. And without the software written by Hamilton, Eyles, and the team of MIT engineers, the computer would have been a dud. (Paragraph 13)
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Software engineering, a concept Hamilton pioneered, has found its way from the moon landing to nearly every human endeavor. (Paragraph 17)
3. According to the text, how did NASA’s understanding of software engineering develop over time?
- NASA grew to understand the importance of software engineering in the Apollo missions over time
4. How does paragraph 14 contribute to the development of ideas in the text?
- It stresses how basic computers were and how likely they were to
experience errors.
5.What is the relationship between women’s contributions to and the success of the
Apollo program? Cite evidence from the text in your response.
Women’s contributions, particularly those of Margaret Hamilton, were crucial to the success of the Apollo program as they established the foundations of software engineering that ensured safe space travel. Evidence from the text states, “Without it, Neil Armstrong wouldn’t have made it to the moon,” highlighting how Hamilton’s software was integral to the mission’s success.
Discussions
1. In the text, the author describes Hamilton as “unusual” because she was a working mother and programmer. What was expected from women during this time? Do you feel like people have expectations for you based on your gender? If so, describe
During Hamilton’s time, women were generally expected to prioritize domestic roles, such as homemaking and supporting their husbands, rather than pursuing high-powered technical careers. This societal expectation made Hamilton’s role as a working mother and programmer “unusual” and “radical.”
As for personal experiences, many individuals may still face gender-based expectations, such as assumptions about career choices or responsibilities in family settings, which can influence their opportunities and societal perceptions.
2. In the text, Hamilton is described as loving the camaraderie at work among the programmers including the men. What obstacles do you think Hamilton faced as a woman and mother that her male coworkers at NASA did not?
As a woman and mother, Hamilton likely faced obstacles such as gender bias and skepticism regarding her capabilities in a male-dominated field, which her male coworkers did not encounter. Additionally, she had to balance her professional responsibilities with motherhood, often facing societal judgment for her choices, such as bringing her daughter to work. These challenges highlighted the unique pressures women faced in pursuing careers in technology and engineering during that era.
3. Hamilton’s work contributed to the software that allowed humans to reach the moon. How has this technology helped us understand more about space? Do you think developing this kind of advanced software has any disadvantages?
Hamilton’s work in software engineering enabled precise navigation and control of spacecraft, significantly enhancing our understanding of space by allowing successful missions like Apollo 11 to explore and study lunar conditions. This technology has paved the way for further advancements in space exploration, leading to discoveries about other celestial bodies and the universe.
However, developing advanced software can have disadvantages, such as the potential for over-reliance on technology, which may lead to vulnerabilities in critical situations if software malfunctions. Additionally, the complexity of such systems can result in challenges related to debugging and maintenance, which can impact mission success.