Your STEM class has been assigned a research project. You will each give a presentation on a person who has made a significant contribution to science or math and who was deaf or hard of hearing. Your classmate Angela, needs help selecting a person to research, and she asks you for your advice. She's looking for someone who worked with astronomy because she wants to work in the field of space travel someday. Who do you feel would be the best fit for Angela?

(1 point)

Thomas Edison

Vinton Cerf

John Cornforth

Olaf Hassal

1 answer

For Angela's interest in astronomy and space travel, John Cornforth would be the best fit. He was a Deaf chemist whose work in stereochemistry contributed to the understanding of molecular structures and reactions, which can relate to various fields, including materials science and even the chemistry involved in rocket fuel and life support systems used in space travel. While he wasn’t specifically an astronomer, his contributions to chemistry have relevance in the broader context of science that supports space exploration.

The others listed, such as Thomas Edison and Vinton Cerf, are notable figures in their respective fields but do not directly relate to astronomy or space travel like Cornforth's work could. Olaf Hassal is less well-known and may not provide as many resources for a thorough research project.