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READ: The Rocket Scientist - Mary Golda Ross: Graphic Biography

Mary Golda Ross was the first female Indigenous engineer. Her mathematical brilliance helped launch humanity on voyages to the stars.
The Graphic Biography below uses “Three Close Reads”. If you want to learn more about this strategy, click here.

Reading 1: Skimming for gist

This will be your quickest read. It should help you get the general idea of what the graphic biography will be about. Pay attention to the title, headings, images, and layout. Ask yourself: what is this graphic biography going to be about?

Reading 2: Understanding content

For this reading, you should be looking for unfamiliar vocabulary words, the major claim and key supporting details, and analysis and evidence. You should also spend some time looking at the images and the way in which the page is designed.
By the end of the second close read, you should be able to answer the following questions:
  1. The comic describes Mary as a "computer." What does this mean?
  2. Why was Mary hired? How would you describe her career?
  3. How has the artist designed the images in this comic to help you know in which order to read the text?
  4. Looking at just images, what do you think is the theme of this comic?

Reading 3: Evaluating and Corroborating

In this read, you should use the graphic biography as evidence to support, extend, or challenge claims made in the course.
At the end of the third read, you should be able to respond to these questions:
  1. Have you heard about Mary Golda Ross before reading this comic? Why do you think some people, like Mary Golda Ross, often get left out of the big stories about our collective learning?
Now that you know what to look for, it’s time to read! Remember to return to these questions once you’ve finished reading.

The Rocket Scientist: Mary Golda Ross - Graphic Biography

Writer: Bennett Sherry
Artist: Kay Sohini
Mary Golda Ross was the first female Indigenous engineer. Her mathematical brilliance helped launch humanity on voyages to the stars.
Download the Graphic Biography PDF here or click on the image above.

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