Black History Month - African American Contributions to STEM - STEAM

Enlarge your students' perspective around Black History Month. This product celebrates African Americans who have contributed to science, technology, engineering, art, and math. These individuals are rarely, if ever, discussed in the classroom. They deserve our attention. As students learn about these famous individuals, it gives them an opportunity to bring things present - they can see what's possible for them. For example, Roy Allela, invented a smart glove that converts sign language to speech, and he's only twenty-five years old! By the end of the month, students will understand how 18 African Americans impacted society in the areas of STEAM. Students will use their detective skills to find evidence in each passage to support their answers. Each lessons exposes students to 2-3 new vocabulary words. This unit also includes writing. Students can write letters to the individuals highlighted throughout this unit. Students can also write about their opinion - What is the most important invention or discovery? A graphic organizer as well as lined paper is included. Students love to draw to share their thinking as well. The unit includes opportunities for them to draw pictures and write facts, wonderings, etc. I hope you enjoy teaching your students about these amazing people as much as I enjoyed digging into the lives of each one of them!

AFRICAN AMERICANS HIGHLIGHTED IN THIS UNIT

Patricia Bath - first African American opthamologist

Kenneth Dunkley - 3D glasses

Gladys West - GPS

Augusta Savage - sculptress

Mae Jemison - astronaut

John Thompson - invented computer language

Garrett Morgan - 3 way traffic light

Jay-Z - rapper, author, entrepreneur

Alexa Canady - first pediatric neurosurgeon

Lonnie Johnson - Super Soaker

Charles Drew - blood banking

Kadir Nelson - artist, author

Benjamin Banneker - clock

Ronald Demon - smart shoe

Lewis Latimer - light bulb, telephone

Katherine Johnson - mathematician

Roy Allela - smart glove

Euphenia Haynes - first female to earn Phd in math