Museum of Innovation and Science

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.

African Americans in STEM

Created by: Museum of Innovation and Science

In 2011, 35% of Americans owed a smartphone, in contrast with 83% who owned a cellphone at all. In early 2021 the number of smartphone users increased dramatically to 85%, while the number of those who owned a cellphone at all increased to 97%, surpassing even those who owned a desktop, laptop, or tablet computer. In the decades since the arrival of the first telephone, the meaning of “phone” is one that has expanded to a device that not only makes calls, but also surfs the Internet, films video, sends emails, plays music, and gives directions with minimal human intervention. Many students are probably familiar with how to use a cellphone/ smartphone, but less so the inner workings of it.

The Smartphone: Putting it All Together

Created by: Museum of Innovation and Science

Program Description The earliest form of communication that humans can master is making sounds with our mouths: crying, babbling, and cooing draws adults to babies, just as speaking, shouting, or laughing brings older children and adults together. In-person language is limited though: what if you want to talk to a friend on vacation, or need to speak to a doctor across town? The discovery of electromagnetic radio waves and the invention of commercial radio units has transformed modern life, allowing for news, music, and art from far-flung areas to be brought into our own homes. From simple walkie-talkie toys, to ham radio hobbyists, to military satellites, radio waves have allowed our society to transfer information almost immediately via conversion to sound and light.

Radio at Work--Two-Way Communication

Created by: Museum of Innovation and Science

Grade 3-8

Program Description The invention of radio allowed for a transformation in the way that people seek entertainment for themselves. Music, plays, and dramas sent over radio waves allowed individuals and families alike to hear stories that they may not have encountered otherwise, especially when up until that point all entertainment was done in a collective setting, such as a tale around a fire, or through travelling actors. In the following activities, students will begin to explore how the invention and evolution of televisions and radios allowed for a massive cultural shift, one that continues to happen with technology we continue to use today.

Radio: Instant Communication and Information

Created by: Museum of Innovation and Science

Grade 6-8

Program Description As electricity became more prominent and its uses more widespread, its uses for communication immediately became apparent. Whereas writing letters or carving symbols was good for shorter distances or for situations that required slower response times, electricity allowed for more urgent messages to be sent and received promptly, allowing quicker actions to be taken. Though we take for granted the ability of phones and instant messaging nowadays, even with this faster, electricity-based communication, there were still several pitfalls faced and skills needed in order to translate the information as accurately as possible. In the following activities, students will explore some of these earliest forms of electricity-based communication which helped to jumpstart our modern information era.

Communication by Electricity

Created by: Museum of Innovation and Science

Refrigeration has changed the course of modern life in many ways, from reducing the likelihood of food-borne illnesses to revolutionizing trade and interstate commerce. Foods that were previously only available to the wealth due to their scarcity, either over distance or time, were now available for anyone who could afford refrigeration technology. As refrigeration has modernized, so too has food safety and the decrease of food-borne illnesses due to improper storage techniques. In the following activities, students will be encouraged to explore not only the history and science behind refrigeration, but also how food safety practices have translated to a reduction in disease.

Keeping Cool--Refrigeration in Modern Life

Created by: Museum of Innovation and Science

Grade 3-8

Prior to the introduction of refrigeration, iceboxes kept food from spoiling; however they were time consuming, requiring ice replacement several times a week and emptying of trays of water. Food was maintained only at moderate temperatures. The refrigerator gradually evolved from being a luxury item affordable only by the wealthy, to being an affordable and reliable part of the modern kitchen. It was an invention that impacted many aspects of society, contributing to the transition to a consumer society. General Electric of Schenectady, New York, by introducing this enclosed and relatively inexpensive Monitor-Top refrigerator in 1927, used science and technology to bring change to society. The documents in this packet reflect the introduction of the General Electric Monitor Top refrigerator and its impact on American society. Of particular interest are trade literature documents, especially advertisements, which reflect the interests of the developing consumer society.

The Impact and Influence of Refrigeration Technology

Created by: Museum of Innovation and Science

Communication by Electricity

No Objects to display

Activity

Engineering the Telephone Timeline

Explore the changes in the ways consumers interact with telephone technology over the years

Created by: Museum of Innovation and Science

Activity

Listening to Radio

Radio: Instant Communication and Information

Explore the changing methods people used to listen to radio in its early days, from wireless telegraphy to transistor radios.

Created by: Museum of Innovation and Science

Grade 6-8

Activity

Dr. Rae-Wynn Grant: Mock Debate

Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant

Created by: Museum of Innovation and Science

Activity

Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant: The Web of Life

Dr. Wynn-Grant with a bear cub, 2019

Created by: Museum of Innovation and Science

Activity

Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant, introduction

Dr. Rae Wynn Grant

Created by: Museum of Innovation and Science

Activity

Junne Bacon-Bercey: Using Mapping Software

June Bacon-Bercey delivers a forecast for Illinois and Missouri.

Created by: Museum of Innovation and Science

Activity

June Bacon-Bercey: Extreme Weather and Emergency Preparedness

June Bacon-Bercey at news podiums, WGR-TV Buffalo, 1970s

Created by: Museum of Innovation and Science

Activity

June Bacon-Bercey, Introduction

June Bacon-Bercey delivering a forecast for WGR-TV in Buffalo, 1970s

Created by: Museum of Innovation and Science

The Impact and Influence of Refrigeration Technology

Activity

Refrigeration Summary Questions

Advertisement for GE Americana refrigerator with separate refrigerator and freezer compartment, 1964

Created by: Museum of Innovation and Science

The Impact and Influence of Refrigeration Technology

Activity

Document 10: Refrigerator Sales by State

GE refrigerator in use, 1939. GE eliminated the Monitor-top refrigerator design in 1937, opting for a more modern design that hid the equipment in the back and the bottom of the refrigerator

Created by: Museum of Innovation and Science

The Impact and Influence of Refrigeration Technology

Activity

Document 9: Index of Public Acceptance

General Electric calendar painting of Monitor-top refrigerator, 1927

Created by: Museum of Innovation and Science

The Impact and Influence of Refrigeration Technology

Activity

Documents 6, 7, and 8: Three Documents from A Recipe Book

Documents 6, 7 and 8 are excerpts from a General Electric monitor top refrigerator cookbook from 1927. Read and analyze the three documents. Answer the questions in complete sentences on another sheet of paper.

Created by: Museum of Innovation and Science