BLACK  SCIENTISTS

AND 

ENGINEERS

Black scientists and engineers have made outstanding contributions in their fields.  The purpose of this study is to increase your awareness of these contributions, and hopefully provide you with relevant, positive role models who may inspire you to pursue a career in science or engineering.

The Task

Using one of the following points, create a presentation (PowerPoint, HyperStudio, Poem, Speech, or Story) to share with your classmates:

• Imagine what the world would be like without black inventors and engineers. (We will assume that no other race invented what these inventors or engineers have created).   How would your daily life be different than what it is like today?  Use at least 25 engineers and/or inventors.

OR

• Select at least two inventors or engineers.  Include the following points:  

        1.  Give some personal information about these individuals.

        2.  What was their educational background?

        3.  What obstacles or challenges did the black scientists and engineers have to overcome in                order to be successful?

        4.  What factors influenced their career choices?

OR

• Select a scientific career to research and include the following:

        1.  What personal characteristics do most successful engineers and scientists possess?

        2.  What role does an early education in mathematics and science play in preparing one for a                scientific career?      

        3.  What are the necessary steps for attaining a career in these areas (do you have the right                stuff)?

          4.  What job opportunities are there for such careers?  Give information about salaries and                benefits.

Resources

Web sites: 

Black Faces of Science:   More scientists

Other Inventions: Even more Black inventors.

Eric's Treasures: Conduct Searches for Individual Inventors.

Inventions Dimensions: Link to other sites for inventors.

National Science Foundation: Careers and other resources.

Possibilities in Science:  Career Opportunities.

Ask a Scientist: Ask scientific questions to real scientists.

Columbia Guide: MLA-Style Citations of Electronic Sources.

Web Graphic's: Icons, Images, and graphics.

Clip Art A-C:  Cool clip art.

Physical Resources:

"African American BINGO", a game with history added by Visions Research, Pittsford,                  N.Y., 1991.

"Black Achievers in Science", a pamphlet written and produced by the Museum of Science and                  Industry, Chicago, 1988.

"Ebony - Pictorial History of Black America", Johnson Publishing Co., Chicago, 1971.

Estell, Kenneth  African America, Portrait of a People, Visible Ink Press, Detroit, Washington,                  D.C. London, 1994.

Hughes, Langston and Meltzer, Hughes A Pictorial History of the Negro in America, Crown                  Publisher, Inc. New York, 1956.

The Process

      1.  Use the resources above to learn about the various careers in engineering and science and the contributions of Black people.

     2.  Select one of the tasks for your project.

      3.  Gather and organize all pertinent information.

     4.  Select a form of oral presentation (Story, Speech, Poem, PowerPoint, HyperStudio).

     5.  Provide a hard copy for your instructor.

Learning Advice

1.  Your project will be evaluated on originality and creativity.

2.  You must adequately cover the points outlined above.

3.  If you select a PowerPoint or Hyperstudio presentation,  be sure to use images, sound, and color.

4.  If you do a speech, poem, or story, you will be evaluated on voice, tone, diction, etc.

5.  Properly cite all resources.

Conclusion

Upon completion of this WebQuest, you will become more aware of various careers in science and engineering and the contributions that Black people have made in these fields.   You will also decide if an engineering or scientific career path is right for you.

This WebQuest was created by Artie T. Atkins, Fayette County Public Schools, Lexington, KY.