Black Entrepreneurs | Teachers Guide Online
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| Tips for incorporating multimedia » Apiebant me spectacula theatrica plena imaginibus miseriarum measrum et fomitibus ignis mei |
James McLurkin, Ph.D (b. 1972) |
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Use the stories of Latimer and McLurkin to provide some examples and/or evidence for the responses to these discussion questions.
Research Have student identify an item on the list of inventions by black inventors below that they consider to be particularly helpful to them, their family, and/or society. Assign them the task of finding out who invented it. How long ago was the first version created? How is it different from the version in their home? Have them write a short biographical sketch of the inventor. They should include information about opportunities and obstacles in that person’s experiences. They will then present a 2-3 minute oral summary of their findings to the class, and turn in the written version to you for eventual display. The final product could be a visual display board, a written paper, or if time and resources permit, a very short video.
Creative Writing Have your students write a story describing what his/her life might be like today if the invention they identified in the previous activity had never been invented. Have them imagine/speculate upon being without that invention; what interconnected activities and things would result from not having that invention. Assign your students to write an imaginary conversation between Lewis Latimer and James McLurkin exploring a time in their youth. Talk about their ideas and interest in science, their school experiences, likes and dislikes, etc. Encourage them to be creative, but not to depart from the plausible, based on information they can gather about both men’s childhood. Have students write a poem about either inventor that includes:
Incorporate any appropriate literary rules or techniques into your instructions for writing the poem. Experiential Activity Interview a black entrepreneur- Student will research a local African American scientist of their choice, and arrange to interview that person. Prior to the interview, they must gather a body of information about the particular business/industry and the neighborhood or market area involved, and develop a series of 10-12 questions for the interviewee. The interview is to be audio or video taped, and could be transcribed later, or presented in its original media, but edited for time and specificity. Specifics of final interview format to be determined by the equipment and resources available to your students. Contact a local chapter of a fraternal or professional organization that supports and promotes minority involvement in science and engineering. There are several national organizations that may have local chapters in your city or town. Some examples are The National Society of Black Engineers, http://national.nsbe.org/, or any of the organizations listed in this resource site called, African Americans in Science http://dreadhead7.com/blackscientists.html. Many national black sororities and fraternities like Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. http://www.deltasigmatheta.org/ and Omega Psi Phi, Inc. http://www.omegapsiphifraternity.org/ can help you arrange an interview with a black scientist or inventor who is accessible in your area. Web sites http://www.ideafinder.com/history/inventors/latimer.htm http://www.uh.edu/engines/epi158.htm http://www.black-collegian.com/african/inventions605.shtml http://inventors.about.com/od/blackinventors/a/black_inventors.htm http//www.littleafrica.com/resources/inventors.htm http://www.blackinventions101.com/ http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/bhistory/inventors/ http://www.black-inventor.com/
Books The Poetry of African American Invention Great Black Heroes : Five Notable Inventors (Hello Reader! Series) To Fathom More: African American Scientists and Inventors Black Stars: African American Women Scientists and Inventors (Hardcover) Additional Contemporary Black Inventors
Glossary
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Black Entrepreneurs |