We’re highlighting three films that celebrate heroes of computing to help you get students excited about computer and IT careers!
Teach about the Code Breaking Heroes of Bletchley Park
Breaking Enigma: A World War II Game Changer goes deep inside the top-secret, groundbreaking intelligence work that took place at Bletchley Park, outside London, during World War II. It highlights the innovative computing and technology of the counterintelligence effort started in Poland, headquartered in England, and eventually including the United States, as well as the emphasis on secrecy, teamwork, and cooperation.
The film shares the stories of the ordinary men and women from all backgrounds who came together to decipher secret military messages scrambled through Germany’s complex Enigma machine. The film also draws connections to machine learning and artificial intelligence, and viewers track the long line of technological advancement brought about by war and applied in peacetime.
The Breaking Enigma Discussion Guide explores Bletchley Park’s Ecosystem of Success, Codebreaking in War and its legacy today, and Historical Spaces as Primary Sources.
Subjects: Community Service Learning, Computer Programming, Computer Science and IT, History, Social Studies, UK History, World History, World War II
Lesson Grades: 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, College, Adult Learning
Learn more about teaching with Breaking Enigma and get the Breaking Enigma Discussion Guide.
Teach about the Women Code Breakers
Her War, Her Story: World War II explores how women filled vital roles in the Second World War. Viewers hear firsthand accounts from a cross section of women from the United States, England, France, and Germany — including the top secret code breakers of Bletchley Park.
The Her War, Her Story Discussion Guide includes a special focus on women code breakers. These resources make a great combination with Breaking Enigma: A World War II Game Changer.
Subjects: Community Service Learning, Computer Programming, Computer Science and IT, History, Social Studies, UK History, Women’s History, World History, World War II
Lesson Grades: 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, College, Adult Learning
Learn more about teaching with Her War, Her Story and get the Her War, Her Story Discussion Guide.
Teach about the Pioneering Black Women of NASA
Hidden Figures celebrates the extraordinary determination and achievement of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson, three Black women known as “human computers” at NASA in the 1960s. These women transcended the discriminatory biases of colleagues and community members to become leaders in the fields of mathematics and engineering — and send the first human beings to the Moon.
The Hidden Figures Discussion Guide explores The Women of West Computing and Career Choices in STEM (among other topics). It’s great for inspiring students of all background about pursing STEM careers. For grades 4 and up.
The Hidden Figures Curriculum Guide features multiple STEM lessons. Of particular note is Lesson 8 on The Women of Science. Use this lesson in classes on Career Studies, History, Science, and U.S. History. This lesson is available to download on its own or as part of the full curriculum guide. Lesson 8 is recommended for grades 7-12.
Learn more bout teaching with Hidden Figures and get the Hidden Figures Educational Resources.
Important Dates
Plan ahead to share these inspiring films with your students on the following dates:
- January 6 – National Technology Day
- February – Black History Month (Hidden Figures)
- February – Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month
- March – Women’s History Month
- April 27 – International Girls in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Day
- November 8 – National STEM / STEAM Day
- December – Computer Science Education Week
How Can I Share Feedback
If you are teaching with these films, we would love to hear how they work for you and your students. Please get in touch with us by using our contact form.
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