Throughout history, Black inventors and scientists have made groundbreaking contributions that shaped our modern world. From lifesaving inventions to advancements in space exploration, these pioneers inspire curiosity and innovation in young learners.
Here are the stories of 10 remarkable individuals with fun STEM activities to bring their achievements to life.
George Washington Carver:
Activity Idea: Try extracting oil from peanuts at home! Crush roasted peanuts, wrap them in a paper towel and press down with a heavy object. Observe how the oil seeps out.
Mae Jemison:
Activity Idea: Create a rocket using a plastic bottle, baking soda and vinegar. Watch as the reaction powers your mini rocket into the sky – just like Mae Jemison’s historic journey.
Garrett Morgan:
Garrett Morgan invented the three-position traffic signal, making roads safer for everyone. He also created a breathing device that became the prototype for modern gas masks.
Activity Idea: Design a traffic light model using colored paper, cardboard and a flashlight to understand how his invention manages traffic flow.
Katherine Johnson:
Katherine Johnson was a mathematician whose calculations were critical to NASA’s space missions, including the Apollo 11 moon landing. Her work inspired the movie Hidden Figures.
Activity Idea: Practice plotting a spacecraft’s trajectory by creating a simple math problem involving angles and distances. Use paper and pencils to calculate the path, just like Johnson did.
Benjamin Banneker:
Activity Idea: Make a simple sundial with a paper plate and a pencil. Place it outside and track the shadows to tell time, just as Banneker did with his astronomical observations.
Dr. Patricia Bath:
Dr. Patricia Bath was an ophthalmologist and inventor who developed a laser technique for removing cataracts, restoring sight to countless patients.
Activity Idea: Explore the science of optics by creating a basic pinhole camera using a shoebox, wax paper and aluminum foil. Learn how light travels and creates images.
Lewis Latimer:
Lewis Latimer worked with Thomas Edison and Alexander Graham Bell to improve the design of the light bulb and the telephone. His carbon filament innovation made light bulbs last longer and be more practical for everyday use.
Activity Idea: Create a simple circuit with a battery, wires and a small bulb to understand how electricity powers light, inspired by Latimer’s work.
Marie Maynard Daly:
Marie Maynard Daly was the first Black woman to earn a Ph.D. in chemistry in the United States. Her groundbreaking research explored the effects of hypertension on arteries and how diet impacts heart health.
Activity Idea: Conduct a fun kitchen chemistry experiment by testing the acidity of different foods like lemon juice, vinegar and baking soda with pH strips.
Elijah McCoy:
Elijah McCoy invented an automatic lubricator for steam engines, ensuring trains ran more efficiently. His work was so exceptional that people supposedly asked for “the real McCoy,” which may be the origin of the famous phrase.
Activity Idea: Build a model train or car and discuss how lubrication reduces friction and helps machines run smoothly. Try adding small drops of oil to gears in a toy to see how it works.
Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson:
Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson is a physicist whose research led to advances in telecommunications technology, including innovations like touch-tone phones and fiber optics.
Activity Idea: Experiment with sound by creating a string telephone. Use two paper cups connected by a string to learn how vibrations travel, just like Dr. Jackson’s discoveries improved communication.
Inspiring the Next Generation
These inventors and scientists paved the way for future generations by breaking barriers and pushing the boundaries of innovation. By exploring their contributions through hands-on STEM activities, kids can see how creativity, perseverance and curiosity can change the world. Encourage young learners to ask questions, experiment and dream big – because the next groundbreaking discovery could come from them!
Rebecca Hastings is a former teacher who is passionate about authenticity, faith and family. Her books are available on Amazon, and she has been featured on sites such as The Washington Post and Parents. In real life, she can often be found typing words, driving her kids places or wherever there is chocolate. Connect with her at RebeccaHastings.net and on Instagram.
Liam McCrickard holds a B.A. in creative and professional writing from Goucher College. He is former assistant editor at Washington Parent. He works as a freelance designer, writer and editor of tabletop role-playing games.
Rebecca Hastings is a former teacher who is passionate about authenticity, faith and family. Her books are available on Amazon, and she has been featured on sites such as The Washington Post and Parents. In real life, she can often be found typing words, driving her kids places or wherever there is chocolate.
