Reading for the Fun of It: African American Inventors, Scientists, and Mathematicians (Grades K-12)

Graphic: Shannel Wheeler

Reading about the lives of people who have made contributions to math and science can be inspiring. Since February is Black History Month, it seems like an especially good time to focus on the lives of some African American inventors, scientists, and mathematicians. These books, most of which are from the ENC collection, are ones that students can read in class or at home with their families.

Lewis Latimer, by Winifred Latimer Norman and Lily Patterson, Chelsea House Publishers, New York, 1994. Grades 5-9.
Just to name a few of the highlights of Lewis Latimer's life: He served in the U.S. Navy during the Civil War. He was a self-taught draftsman who worked with Alexander Graham Bell on telephone patents. He invented a special filament for the lightbulb that made the lightbulb affordable to use. And he was the chief draftsman and patent expert for Thomas Edison. He also found time to teach immigrants English, and he wrote poetry. By all accounts, he was an extraordinary human being.
Find where the wind goes, by Mae Jemison, Scholastic Press, New York, 2001. Grade 6 and up.
This autobiography by astronaut-doctor-dancer-educator-humanitarian Mae Jemison is a treat to read.

Classroom Resources from the ENC Collection

1. Benjamin Banneker: astronomer and mathematician
   Date: 1999 Grade(s): 4 - 8 Cost: $20.95 ENC#: 016105
   This early American genius exemplifies how far curiosity can take a person. Banneker is famous for--among other things--surveying Washington, D.C., writing a best-seller (Banneker's Almanack), and building an intricate, accurate, chiming wooden clock. The story of his life is terrifically interesting, and this book tells it well.
   (For more details see ENC Record)
   
   
   
2. What are you figuring now?: a story about Benjamin Banneker
   Date: 1988 Grade(s): 3 - 6 Cost: $6.95 ENC#: 014464
   Another good biography of Banneker, but for slightly younger students--reads a bit more like a story.
   (For more details see ENC Record)
   
   
   
3. Charles Drew, physician
   Date: 1990 Grade(s): 6 - 12 Cost: $22.95 ENC#: 018736
   Charles Drew was a pioneer in blood research, conducting research on the properties and preservation of blood plasma. He was also a leader in establishing blood banks--vital to the World War II effort. Drew trained the majority of America's first generation of black surgeons. The text of this biography is straightforward and informational. The photos are good--you can peer into them and get a sense of the times.
   (For more details see ENC Record)
   
   
   
4. A weed is a flower: the life of George Washington Carver
   Date: 1988 Grade(s): Pre-K - 3 Cost: $5.95 ENC#: 019555
   George Washington Carver opened up the field of agricultural research by showing just how many ways peanuts and sweet potatoes could be used. Read about this renowned scientist's childhood, his love of learning, and his unending quest to discover the ways plants could make life better for people.
   (For more details see ENC Record)
   
   
   
5. A picture book of George Washington Carver
   Date: 1999 Grade(s): K - 3 Cost: $16.95 ENC#: 014377
   Here is another biography of George Washington Carver. It's included since it offers some different information from the book above. True this is a picture book too, but it seems better suited to grades 3 to 5 (even though the publisher recommends the book for students ages 4 to 8) than to younger students. Some of the content and images depict violent incidents that are frightening. The book contains interesting and important information about the life of George Washington Carver and offers up much food for thought and discussion.
   (For more details see ENC Record)
   
   
   
6. The real McCoy: the life of an African American inventor
   Date: 1993 Grade(s): K - 3 Cost: $5.99 ENC#: 019404
   The grades specified for this book are K-3, but the book seems suited as well to students in grades 4 and 5. McCoy is famous for his invention of an automatic oil cup for locomotives that made it possible to eliminate having to make frequent stops to oil the moving parts. McCoy's invention--the real McCoy, not a look-alike substitute--was used on trains and eventually steamships. His talent for invention is evidenced by his patents for more than 50 inventions. The illustrations for the book, paintings by artist Wil Clay, are very good.
   (For more details see ENC Record)
   
   
   
7. Ronald McNair
   Date: 1991 Grade(s): 6 - 12 Cost: $9.95 ENC#: 018735
   Ronald McNair was a crew member of the ill-fated Challenger space shuttle mission that exploded after takeoff in January 1986. One of the first African American astronauts, he helped chart the way to the stars for any who are determined enough and brave enough to follow.
   (For more details see ENC Record)
   
   
   
8. Matthew Henson
   Date: 1988 Grade(s): 6 - 12 Cost: $9.95 ENC#: 018737
   Discover Matthew Henson, who helped "discover" the North Pole. Henson risked his life during his efforts to become one of the first men to reach the North Pole. He accompanied Robert Peary on the polar expedition. On April 6, 1909, Henson, Peary, and four Eskimos reached the North Pole. The photos are an eye-opener, and so is the story of Henson's life.
   (For more details see ENC Record)
   
   
   
9. Mae Jemison: a space biography
   Date: 1998 Grade(s): 4 - 10 Cost: $18.95 ENC#: 024395
   You might want to go from reading about North Pole explorer Matthew Henson (see above) to space explorer Mae Jemison. Besides being an astronaut, Jemison is a chemical engineer, physician, college teacher, entrepreneur, and humanitarian.
   (For more details see ENC Record)