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Teaching Guide: African American Inventors in History

OCT 13, 2022

Students will research the lives and work of some notable African American inventors and then create an invention or patent of their own.

AIP History

James West, inventor of the electret microphone and Acoustical Society of America (ASA) president from 1998 - 1999. AIP Emilio Segrè Visual Archives, Gift of Dr. West

This two-part lesson will introduce students to the lives of black inventors with the aid of media, primary sources, and government documents. The first part invites students to research the lives of notable African American inventors and analyze some of their patents. In the second part, students can create their own invention.
Grade level(s): 6-8, 9-12
Guide subjects: Contemporary, History
Minority Group(s): Women, African-American
In-class time: Two parts, 60-80 minutes each
Prep time: 15 minutes
Technology Requirements: Student web access required, Audio/Video not required
Common Core Standards: Speaking & Listening, History/Social Studies, Science & Technical Subjects
Next Generation Science Standards: Engineering, Technology, and Applications of Science, Engineering Design, Links Among Engineering, Technology, Science and Society

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Teaching Guide: African American Inventors in History Lesson Plan (.pdf) Create Your Own Invention Worksheet (.pdf) Create Your Own Patent Worksheet (.pdf) Teaching Guide: African American Inventors in History Discussion Questions (.pdf) Teaching Guide: African American Inventors in History Discussion Question Answer Key (.pdf) Inventors List (.pdf) Matching Worksheet (.pdf) Matching Worksheet Answer Key (.pdf) Patent List (.pdf) Teaching Guide: African American Inventors in History Original Documents ZIP Archive (.zip)