African Americans in STEM

As the scientific, technological, engineering, and mathematical needs that modern American society requires increases, so too does the demand for an educated, diverse workforce focused on these fields to sustain these new systems. However, despite a consistent increase in available STEM jobs since World War II, the number of Black and Hispanic individuals working in said fields remains low. Within the activities of this lesson plan, participating students will be introduced to Black individuals, past and present, who have made significant contributions to their STEM field. Each micro-lesson will combine both history and science as participating students are introduced to Black STEM professionals, their educational and research backgrounds, through activities and prompting questions focusing on their field. These lesson plans are further divided by education level, with more complicated materials available for middle and high school students.