Teaching Guide: African Americans and Life in a Secret City
By examining oral histories and historical photographs, students will learn about the lives of African Americans who worked at the secret city built for the Manhattan Project in Hanford, Washington.
Construction at the Hanford site of the Manhattan Project. Digital Photo Archive, Department of Energy (DOE), courtesy AIP Emilio Segre Visual Archives.
Students will learn about the role of African Americans in the Manhattan Project as scientists, technicians, and workers. Specifically, students will learn about African Americans who worked and lived at one of the secret cities built for the Manhattan Project in Hanford, Washington. They will read oral histories of black construction workers at Hanford, as well as examine historical photographs from the site that reveal more information about the working and living conditions there. Note: This lesson plan works extremely well alongside the AIP Teaching Guide: African Americans and the Manhattan Project, which has students examine several African American scientists who worked on the Manhattan Project at various sites.
Grade level(s): 9-12
Guide subjects: History
Minority Group(s): African-American
In-class time: 50-75 minutes
Prep time: 10-15 minutes
Technology Requirements: Student web access optional, Audio/Video optional
Common Core Standards: Speaking & Listening, History/Social Studies, Science & Technical Subjects
