[CP] Ellen Ochoa Article

How does this phrase, "people who didn’t think I should be there," contribute to the reader's understanding of the challenges she faced?

• It implies that Ochoa exaggerated the challenges she faced to gain sympathy and recognition for her accomplishments.

• It highlights the bias and discrimination Ochoa faced, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and challenging societal expectations in STEM fields.

• It downplays the significance of Ochoa's achievements by suggesting that her success was primarily due to luck and timing rather than overcoming significant obstacles.

• It suggests that Ochoa's primary obstacle was a lack of personal confidence, which she overcame through hard work and determination.

Think about how the meaning of the text might shift if the phrase "first Hispanic woman in space" was substituted with "one of many astronauts." What would be the impact on the text's meaning and the reader's understanding of Ochoa's significance?

• The substitution would emphasize Ochoa's technical skills and contributions to space exploration, downplaying the importance of her ethnicity and gender.

• The substitution would highlight the progress made in diversifying the astronaut corps, suggesting that Ochoa's achievement is no longer as significant in the present day.

• The substitution would make the text more relatable to a wider audience by focusing on the universal experience of astronauts rather than Ochoa's unique background.

• The substitution would diminish the historical importance of Ochoa's achievement and obscure the barriers she overcame as a minority woman in STEM.

Part A: What is the overarching theme or central idea presented in the text regarding Ellen Ochoa's career and the obstacles she overcame?

• Success in STEM fields is primarily determined by innate talent and intelligence, rather than hard work and determination.

• Achieving a work-life balance is impossible for women in high-pressure careers like being an astronaut.

• Perseverance, challenging societal expectations, and support from others are important in achieving success in STEM fields, particularly for underrepresented groups.

• Discrimination in the workplace is a thing of the past and no longer poses a significant barrier to career advancement.

Part B: How do the interactions among Ochoa, her mentors, and those who discouraged her enhance the overarching theme or central idea from Part A?

• These interactions imply that Ochoa's negative experiences were isolated incidents and do not reflect broader systemic issues in STEM.

• These interactions highlight the importance of mentorship and support in navigating challenges and overcoming biases in STEM fields.

• These interactions demonstrate that discrimination is always overt and easily identifiable, making it simple to address.

• These interactions suggest that Ochoa's success was solely due to her own individual efforts, with little influence from others.

Which excerpt from the text most effectively emphasizes the author's argument about the importance of representation in STEM fields?

• "My dad’s parents were Mexican, and he was the youngest of 12. By the time he was born, he was born in California. I grew up in La Mesa, a suburb of San Diego."

• "After my first interview, I got a pilot’s license, because those skills are very transferable to the astronaut job. Still, the other astronauts really wondered about me, coming from my research background: 'Well, OK, but can you perform operationally?'"

• "It feels really good to reach out to students who didn’t [previously] see people who looked like them accomplishing things in the science, engineering or space world. It gave a lot [of people] something to think about, the same way that I really started thinking about space after I saw Sally Ride flying."

• "When I joined the astronaut corps in 1990, women had already been there for 12 years. There were a couple of astronauts already with Hispanic backgrounds. But I was the first Hispanic woman."

Which statement best reflects the author's perspective on the challenges Ellen Ochoa faced in her career at NASA?

• Ochoa's challenges stemmed primarily from a combination of gender and ethnic biases, which she actively fought against by consistently exceeding expectations and proving her capabilities.

• Ochoa's challenges were largely due to her lack of experience in operational roles compared to her peers with military backgrounds.

• Ochoa's challenges were minimal, as NASA was actively promoting diversity and inclusion during her time, making her path relatively smooth compared to previous generations.

• Ochoa's challenges were due to her doubting her own abilities and struggling with imposter syndrome, which hindered her progress in leadership positions.

Based on the text, what can be inferred about the author's purpose in highlighting Ellen Ochoa's story?

• To inspire future generations, particularly those from underrepresented groups, to pursue careers in STEM fields by showcasing Ochoa's resilience and achievements.

• To critique NASA's past discriminatory practices and advocate for stronger affirmative action policies to ensure equal opportunities for all.

• To provide a biography of Ellen Ochoa by detailing her personal life and professional accomplishments in chronological order.

• To argue that individual determination is the sole factor determining success by downplaying the impact of societal barriers and biases.

What is the author's likely intent in including Ochoa's reflections on her career progression and leadership roles at NASA?

• To suggest that success in STEM is solely dependent on individual talent and hard work, regardless of background.

• To emphasize the importance of actively advocating for oneself and having career conversations with supervisors, rather than passively waiting for opportunities.

• To criticize NASA's management structure and promote a complete overhaul of its leadership selection process.

• To discourage underrepresented groups from pursuing leadership positions in STEM due to the inherent challenges and biases.

What function does the paragraph detailing Ochoa's experience during the Shuttle Columbia disaster serve in the broader context of the article?

• It illustrates Ochoa's leadership skills and ability to manage a crisis, demonstrating her growth beyond her initial role as an astronaut.

• It serves as a distraction from the main narrative, providing irrelevant details about a tragic event unrelated to Ochoa's personal journey.

• It highlights the inherent dangers of space travel and discourages future generations from pursuing careers in the space industry.

• It criticizes NASA's handling of the disaster and blames Ochoa for failing to prevent the tragedy.

Which of the following influenced Ellen Ochoa to join NASA? Choose all that apply.

• Sally Ride became the first American woman in space.

• When she was at San Diego State University as an undergraduate, she started to explore STEM fields and was encouraged by a professor from the physics department to continue her studies into the STEM fields.

• Franklin Chang Diaz became the first person of Hispanic heritage to become an astronaut.

• NASA began looking for people who weren’t just military pilots, but instead had different kinds of science and engineering degrees.