Teaching Preschoolers about Black Inventors and Scientists

Celebrating Black Inventors and Scientists

February is Black History Month! While celebrating black history should be done throughout the year, this month is a special time to highlight African-American inventors and scientists who have made remarkable achievements to our world today. 

Below you can find information about the accomplishments and contributions  to our history made by several African American inventors, scientists, and mathematicians. We have also highlighted many of our favorite preschool activities, books, and resources to help make your learning hands-on, and engaging. 

---

Learn more about the Inventors and Scientists 

Benjamin Banneker

Benjamin Banneker was a farmer, mathematician, and astronomer. Benjamin taught himself about astronomy at a young age. And, he published almanacs. He made the most successful prediction of a solar eclipse. His most famous contribution to society was his invention of the wooden clock.  

This is a great time to teach your preschoolers basic concepts of time with this resource. And, it will pair great with number recognition. Teach your little learns about Benjamin and his contributions to the world.  Invite your students to make their own clock using foam numbers, paper plates, and fasteners to make movable hands. 

---

 Lewis Latimer

Lewis Latimer was an inventor, engineer, and draftsman. He was a creative thinker and taught himself about mechanical drawing. His inventions include an evaporative air condition and patenting the light bulb and the telephone. And, he also helped develop an improved railroad car bathroom. Lewis wrote the first book on electric lighting. He paved the way for many other inventors with his skill. 

Invite your students to match the shapes and learn about Lewis with our lightbulb clip cards. Lewis played an important role in developing the telephone. Engage your students in a game of telephone. 

---

 Dr. George Franklin Grant

Dr. George Franklin Grant was the first African American professor at Harvard. One of the first African American men to enroll in dental school. Grant loved to golf in his spare time, and he invented the first golf tee made of wood.

George Franklin Grant was a very ambitious and intelligent man. And, many golfers around the world are thankful for his contributions. Learn more about this inventor and dentist, then have your preschoolers practice their color matching with this fun golf resource. Celebrate dental health month and Dr. Grants contributions as a dentist with this engaging pack.

---

Katherine Johnson

Katherine Johnson was one of the first African-American women to work at NASA as a scientist. She loved math, and played a crucial role in developing life-changing calculations for astronauts. Katherine won many awards and is still honored by NASA, today. Celebrate Katherine Johnson and preschoolers love for space with these space-themed clip cards.  Here is a great book to teach your students more about Katherine Johnson. One of my favorite space activities is inviting your students to make their own constellations by decorating paper with star stickers and connecting them with a marker to represent the constellations. 

---

Dr. Patricia Bath

Dr. Patricia Bath was the first African American to complete a residency in ophthalmology. She made very important contributes to the world of eye medicine. She was also the first African- American female doctor to receive a medical patent. This activity in our Black Inventors & Scientists set  is great for not only learning about the importance of eye health but for practicing letters, too! Invite your students to set up their own eye doctor in the dramatic play area.  Read the book Dr. with an Eye for Eyes by Julia Finley Mosca to Learn more about her!

---

Garrett Morgan

Garrett Morgan was a businessman, inventor, and community leader. He witnessed a car crash which convinced this inventor to create the stoplight. He is most famous for patenting the first traffic signal in the United States. You can find this great game in our to teach your students about history while practicing following directions and encouraging team building in our Black Inventors and Scientist set. You can also play a game of red light green light for an extension activity to this history lesson. Or, try making your own traffic lights with classroom art materials. 

---

Lonnie Johnson

 Lonnie Johnson is a former Air Force and NASA engineer who invented the massively popular Super Soaker water gun. Lonnie invented one of the most loved toys. He also contributed to many important achievements at NASA. He earned multiple awards from NASA for his spacecraft control systems. And, your students will love practicing number ordering with this fun activity that celebrates Lonnie's accomplishments. This is the perfect time to learn a bit of history and celebrate with a classroom water day. Bring water into the sensory table with fun summertime water toys! 

---

Our Recommended Books

Dream Big Little One

Have You Thanked an Inventor Today?

Izzy Gizmo and the Invention Convention 

---

Shop for this Resource

Club Members can print this resource for free using the special link found in our shop listings (or you can find it inside the member download area)!
Not a Member? Learn more about our Membership here!

---

Black Inventors and Scientists Preschool Math and Literacy Activities

$4.00

Shop

---

You Might Also Like

Lemon Fizz Preschool Science
Create a Space to Explore Science
Cup Stacking STEM Challenge
Frog Science Activities
Free Martin Luther King Jr. Activity Set