Throughout history, African-American people have significantly advanced the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Black History Month provides the perfect opportunity for students of all grades to celebrate the incredible achievements of these STEM researchers.
Here are some powerful examples of influential African American scientists:
George Washington Carver
George Washington Carver was an American agricultural scientist and inventor who lived from approximately 1864 to 1943. He was the most prominent black scientist of the early 20th century, promoting alternative crops to cotton and methods to prevent soil depletion.
While a professor at Tuskegee Institute, Carver developed techniques to improve soils depleted by repeated plantings of cotton. He wanted poor farmers to grow alternative crops both as a source of their own food and as a source of other products to improve their way of life. The most popular of his 44 practical bulletins for farmers contained 105 food recipes using peanuts. He also developed and promoted about 100 products made from peanuts that were useful for the house and farm.
Emmett Chappelle
Emmett Chappelle (1925-2019) was an accomplished biochemist and astrochemist who made valuable contributions in the fields of medicine, philanthropy, food science. His achievements led to his induction into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2007 for his work on bioluminescence.
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Mae Jemison
Mae Carol Jemison (born October 17, 1956) is an American engineer, physician, and former NASA astronaut. Notably, she was the first Black woman to travel to space, in 1993, aboard the Endeavour Space Shuttle, serving as a mission specialist.
Shirley Ann Jackson
Shirley Ann Jackson is an American physicist and the eighteenth president of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. She is the first African-American woman to have earned a doctorate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). She is also the second African-American woman in the United States to earn a doctorate in physics. She conducted incredible research that led to the development of the fax machine, fiber-optic cells, caller ID, and more.
Celebrating the contributions of African American scientists is essential not just during Black History Month, but throughout the entire year. A Black History Month Bulletin Board featuring scientists and inventors is a great way to add diversity to your classroom. These classroom posters celebrate the life and legacy of notable Black STEM leaders from a diverse range of backgrounds who have influenced the world!
Here is a table summarizing the accomplishments of these scientists:
Black History Month: Celebrating Charles Henry Turner
| Scientist | Field | Key Accomplishments |
|---|---|---|
| George Washington Carver | Agricultural Science | Promoted alternative crops to cotton, developed soil improvement techniques, created numerous products from peanuts. |
| Emmett Chappelle | Biochemistry, Astrochemistry | Work on bioluminescence, inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame. |
| Mae Jemison | Engineering, Medicine, Astronautics | First African-American woman to travel to space. |
| Shirley Ann Jackson | Physics | Research leading to the development of the fax machine, fiber-optic cells, and caller ID. |
There's SO much to Black history; these Black scientists and inventors are no exception! If you want to integrate STEM into your Black History Month lessons or projects, these posters are PERFECT. No matter what subject you teach, these are integral for Black history.
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