Step into the untold story of genius, grit, and groundbreaking achievement with Hidden Figures (2016) — the powerful true story of three African-American women who changed the face of the U.S. space program. Featuring stunning performances by Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monáe, the film sheds light on how courage and intellect triumphed over discrimination during the space race.
Think you know everything about NASA’s hidden heroes? This 10-question trivia quiz will challenge your memory and celebrate the brilliance behind the launch. Only those with a love for history, science, and justice will ace this one!
Hidden Figures Trivia Questions & Answers
- Which real-life NASA mathematician is the central focus of Hidden Figures?
Correct Answer: Katherine Johnson
Katherine Johnson was a brilliant mathematician whose calculations were crucial to NASA’s space missions, including John Glenn’s orbital flight. The film highlights her perseverance, intellect, and contribution at a time when both racial and gender discrimination ran rampant in science and engineering.
- Who plays Katherine Johnson in the film?
Correct Answer: Taraji P. Henson
Taraji P. Henson portrays Katherine Johnson with nuance and strength, capturing her quiet determination and mathematical brilliance. Her performance helped bring long-overdue recognition to Johnson’s legacy and inspired new generations of women and girls in STEM fields.
- What major space mission is being planned during the events of the film?
Correct Answer: John Glenn’s orbital flight
The film’s climax revolves around Friendship 7 — John Glenn’s historic orbital mission in 1962. When Glenn specifically requests that “the girl” (Katherine) verify the computer’s numbers by hand, it reflects both her reputation for accuracy and the real-life trust placed in her work.
- Which of the women becomes NASA’s first Black female engineer?
Correct Answer: Mary Jackson
Mary Jackson, played by Janelle Monáe, was a mathematician and aerospace engineer who became NASA’s first Black female engineer. She fought for the right to attend segregated night classes and became a trailblazer for diversity in technical roles at the agency.
- What technology threatens to replace the “human computers” at NASA?
Correct Answer: IBM mainframe computer
The film shows the arrival of the IBM 7090 — a massive computer that can calculate faster than any human. At first, it threatens the jobs of the women known as “computers,” but ultimately becomes a new opportunity when some, like Dorothy Vaughan, master the machine and program it.
- Who plays Dorothy Vaughan in Hidden Figures?
Correct Answer: Octavia Spencer
Octavia Spencer earned an Academy Award nomination for her role as Dorothy Vaughan, a self-taught programmer and unofficial supervisor of the West Area Computers. Her portrayal highlights leadership, foresight, and quiet resilience.
- What is the main struggle Katherine faces at work?
Correct Answer: Segregated bathrooms and lack of recognition
Katherine is forced to run across the NASA campus to use a “colored” restroom, a powerful symbol of the era’s racism. She is also denied proper credit for her work, despite being essential to mission success. These injustices are brought to light in one of the film’s most emotional moments.
- What does Dorothy do to ensure her team remains valuable after automation?
Correct Answer: Teaches them to program the IBM machine
Seeing that automation is the future, Dorothy teaches herself FORTRAN and trains her team, ensuring they are indispensable to NASA’s evolving needs. Her initiative turns potential job loss into professional advancement, exemplifying strategic leadership.
- What important role does Katherine play in John Glenn’s mission?
Correct Answer: She verifies the launch and re-entry calculations
When the electronic computer gives uncertain data, John Glenn insists that Katherine verify the numbers manually before he will fly. Her confirmation of the flight trajectory ensures the safety and success of the mission, cementing her place in history.
- What overarching theme does the film explore?
Correct Answer: Breaking racial and gender barriers in science
Hidden Figures is more than a historical drama — it’s a story of courage, brilliance, and change. The film showcases how African-American women overcame systemic prejudice to contribute to some of America’s greatest scientific achievements, reminding us that progress requires both intellect and integrity.
