Black History Month Teaching Resources

Science NetLinks and AAAS have developed a number of resources that will help you honor the achievements and scientific work of African Americans. Consider using the following resources in your classroom.

Lessons

Images of Science

Resource Type: Lesson
Grade Band: 3-5
Description: The lesson provides several activities that can be done in a series or individually to help students understand the diversity of science, both in terms of the work and the people engaged in the work. Teachers should emphasize the diversity to be found in the scientific community: different kinds of people (in terms of race, sex, age, nationality) pursuing different sciences and working in different places (from isolated field sites to labs to offices).


African Americans in Science

Resource Type: Lesson
Grade Band: 6-8
Description: The images that many people have of science and how it works are often distorted. The myths and stereotypes that young people have about science and scientists are not dispelled when science teaching focuses narrowly on the laws, concepts, and theories of science. This lesson explores the careers of prominent African Americans in science, mathematics, and technology.


Variation in Human Skin Color

Resource Type: Lesson
Grade Band: 9-12
Description: In this lesson, students will learn about the factors that determine skin color and how adaptation and natural selection contribute to its variation. They will come to understand that skin color is no longer considered a credible scientific standard by which to classify people into different races.

 

Tools

Science Update: Spotlight on African American Scientists
Resource Type: Audio Features
Grade Band: 6-8, 9-12
Description: In this Spotlight Web page, Science Update has compiled interviews from its extensive archive that feature a select group of black scientists who are living and working in North America today—and helping to pave the way for those who will follow. The page includes links to audio interviews as well as to transcripts of the interviews.


Delta SEE Radio
Resource Type: Audio Features
Grade Band: 6-8, 9-12
Description: The Delta SEE Connection radio show was funded by the National Science Foundation and produced by Delta Sigma Theta in partnership with WOL Radio, Delta Research and Educational Foundation, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. The series features African-Americans in science, engineering, and mathematics and highlights scientific research that is being conducted at private institutions and college campuses, particularly Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU), nationwide.


Minority Scientists Network (MiSciNet)
Resource Type: Audio Features
Grade Band: 6-8, 9-12
Description: MiSciNet will be a boon to future women and minority scientists. It is part of Science's Next Wave, AAAS's career resource for graduate students, postdocs, and young science professionals. It offers help for students deciding which careers in science may be right for them by providing articles by women and minorities in the sciences, and features written by young minority scientists about their experiences in college, in graduate school, and at work. MiSciNet specifically targets African American, American Indian, and Latino students.

Photo Credit: Sylvester James Gates, Jr