African American Inventors Workshop

Age Population: K – 12

Introduction: 

Participants in this workshop will learn about African American inventors while having fun creating their own inventions.

Background:                        

Many African Americans have contributed to the world at large as inventors.  They have developed many groundbreaking devices, machines and chemical or mechanical processes that have made our society more efficient, modern, and safe. Participants will learn about African American inventors and their inventions, some of which have become part of the American language, such as Sarah Boone’s “Ironing Board”, George Grant’s “Golf Tee”, Elijah McCoy’s “the real McCoy” oil lubricators for car and machine engines, and Lydia Newman’s “brush”.  We will discuss the process of inventing, after which, we will create an invention in this workshop.

Objectives:          

• Participants will learn about African American inventors and inventive thinking

• Participants will learn that anyone can be creative in their own way.

• Participants will learn how an invention can work.  

• Participants will learn that every invention has a back story of unique individuals.

Methodology

Participant will receive paper and pencil and draw a diagram of a gadget.  

Participant will receive an “Invent Kit” of objects to create a gadget .      

Participants will take turns reading aloud the story: “A World Without Black   People” source:  www.african-american-inventors.com ).

A review and discussion will follow the activity.

Fee Structure:

The cost of each program is as follows:

Educational group program I for 20 participants or fewer - $25.

Educational group program II for 30 participants - $35.

Educational group program III for over 30 participants, but fewer than 60 - $45.