As we honor Black History Month and look to extend this celebration beyond February, we have a unique opportunity to explore the brilliant minds, unwavering resilience, and groundbreaking contributions of Black innovators who have fundamentally shaped our world. During my classroom teaching career, what began as a simple question — "How many everyday items were invented by Black innovators?" — transformed into a journey of discovery that changed how my students view the world around them. It also extended, connected, and challenged their initial thoughts around Black History Month as simply a one-off curriculum deviation.
It started with the activity described in detail below. As students realized how many Black inventors had impacted everyday items and normalized activities, the questions started rolling in. They included, “What would life be like without this invention? How would my life be different?” My favorite question, which aligns with my definition of ownership of learning, is, “Why am I just now learning this?”
Between now and the weeks ahead (beyond Black History Month), I invite you to consider implementing a comparable activity guiding students to explore hidden histories through the power of storytelling. This lesson plan, refined through years of classroom implementation, helps students connect their daily lives to the remarkable achievements of Black inventors and innovators.
The Journey of Discovery and Inquiry: A 3-Part Exploration
Part 1: Documenting Our Daily Lives
Begin by having students become consciously aware observers of their world. For 24 hours, students will document their interactions with technology, tools, and conveniences that shape their daily experiences.
The following is an example to start from (questions can be modified for age, grade level, and detail):
Morning Documentation (~15-20 minutes)
- What devices wake you up?
- How do you prepare for school?
- What transportation systems do you use?
- How do you get there?
School Hours (~20-30 minutes)
- What classroom tools and technologies do you use?
- How do you store and organize your materials?
- What systems keep you safe and comfortable?
- How do you get from class to class?
Evening Reflection (15-20 minutes)
- What home innovations make life easier?
- How do you communicate with friends and family?
- What entertainment technologies do you use?
- What do you enjoy at home and with your friends/family?
Project Tip: I found creating a form to compile anonymously documented items helpful in helping students think about things they may have forgotten or overlooked.
Bonus: Incorporate this SchoolAI chatbot (login to view) to support the documentation phase.
Cultural Responsive Connections
As students share their observations, patterns may emerge. The traffic lights that guided their morning commute, the hair care products they used to get ready for school, the food preservation methods that kept their lunch fresh – each of these daily conveniences has a story, and many of these stories lead back to Black inventors and innovators who fundamentally changed how we live.
Part 2: Selecting and Researching an Innovator
The following is a partial list that can be used as a guide. The list is not exhaustive and is compiled with consideration for grade/age-accessible suggestions.
Elementary School (Grades 3-5)
- Lonnie Johnson (Super Soaker water gun)
- George Crum (Potato chips)
- Sarah Boone (Ironing board improvements)
- Alexander Miles (Automatic elevator doors)
- Patricia Bath (Laser cataract surgery)
Focus on: Simple machines, everyday items, and inventions with clear cause-and-effect relationships.
Middle School (Grades 6-8)
- Garrett Morgan (Traffic signal, gas mask)
- Madam C.J. Walker (Hair care products and business innovation)
- Marie Van Brittan Brown (Home security system)
- George Washington Carver (Agricultural Innovations)
- Dr. Shirley Jackson (Telecommunications advances)
Focus on: Systems thinking, problem-solving processes, and social impact.
High School (Grades 9-12)
- Mark Dean (Personal computer development)
- James E. West (Microphone technology)
- Dr. Patricia Era Bath (Laser eye surgery innovations)
- Valerie Thomas (3D imaging technology)
- Roy Clay Sr. (Computer technology pioneer)
- Gladys West (Modern Day GPS Systems)
Focus on: Complex systems, technological evolution, and interconnected innovations.
Selection Criteria to consider for students
- Personal Connection: Choose an inventor whose work relates to something you documented in your daily observations
- Interest Level: Select a topic that genuinely interests you and makes you curious to learn more
- Available Resources: Ensure there are adequate research materials at your reading level
- Impact Scope: Consider how the invention affects both your life and society at large
Research Tip: Always start with primary sources when available, including:
- Patent documents (simplified versions for younger students)
- Inventor's own writings or interviews
- Historical photographs and documents
- Contemporary news articles from the time of invention
Part 3: Bringing Stories to Life with Book Creator
Use this remixable book as your starting point for the project. It includes a section where students can express why this story matters today, share their personal connection to the invention, pose questions for further exploration, and provide a bibliography of their sources.
Depending on the age of your students, you can expand the book by incorporating additional elements. Begin with the Inventor’s Journey, detailing their early life, education, and the challenges they faced before making their groundbreaking contributions. Provide historical context to help students understand the world in which the inventor lived and worked.
Next, explore The Innovation Story, highlighting the problem the invention solved, the development process, and any original sketches or patent drawings. Explain how the invention functions and its significance.
Follow this with an Impact and Legacy section, illustrating how the invention transformed daily life, its modern-day applications, and its relevance to the student's documented observations. A timeline of improvements or modifications can further showcase its evolution.
Bonus: This SchooAI chatbot (login to view) may help with the research and reflection components of the book design.
Why This Activity Matters
Expanding Historical Narratives
While figures like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks rightfully hold prominent places in our teaching of Black history, focusing solely on the civil rights movement can inadvertently narrow students' understanding of Black achievement and contribution. By exploring the rich legacy of Black innovation, students discover that Black excellence and achievement span every field of human endeavor.
Building Real World Connections
When students document their daily activities and connect them to historical innovations, they:
- Recognize the ongoing impact of Black ingenuity in their lives
- Understand how individual inventors solved universal problems
- See themselves as potential innovators and problem-solvers
- Develop critical thinking about the origins of everyday technologies
Creating Inclusive Innovation Narratives
This activity challenges the traditional narratives about who can be an inventor or innovator by:
- Highlighting diverse paths to innovation
- Showing how adversity can spark creativity
- Demonstrating the collaborative nature of invention
- Connecting historical innovation to contemporary possibilities
Fostering Long-Term Impact
The learning extends beyond Black History Month through:
- Creation of lasting digital resources
- Development of research and storytelling skills
- Building connections between past and present
- Inspiring future innovation and problem-solving
- Encouraging ongoing exploration of diverse contributions to science and technology
Share Your Story: Extend The Impact
Transform student work into a catalyst for broader learning and community engagement. Here are multiple authentic ways to showcase and share these important stories:
Digital Showcase
- Create a virtual gallery of student books by publishing a library.
- Share QR codes linking to student projects throughout the school
- Feature selected stories on school news broadcasts
- Add projects to the school library's digital collection
Interactive Exhibitions
- Host an "Innovation Walk" with stations for each invention (Station Rotation)
- Create hands-on demonstrations where possible incorporating Black Innovations
- Invite younger classes for guided tours led by student creators
- Organize a family night showcasing student work
Making Learning Last
- Build a digital archive of projects for future classes
- Create teaching resources for other grade levels
- Develop ongoing partnerships with local organizations
- Plan regular updates to include new discoveries
- Share your results within the larger Book Creator community
This approach to exploring Black innovation can easily be adapted to highlight the contributions of other historically marginalized communities. By using the same inquiry-based structure, students can investigate the groundbreaking achievements of women, Hispanic, and AAPI innovators throughout history.
Whether for Women’s History Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, or AAPI Heritage Month, this model fosters a deeper understanding of how diverse voices have shaped the world around us. Encouraging students to research, document, and share these stories ensures that recognition extends beyond a single month—creating a more inclusive, year-round exploration of innovation and impact.
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Ken (He/Him/His) currently holds an M.A. in Education with a specialization in Educational Technology as well as New Media Design and Production. He has worked as an Educator for over 20 years and spent most of his classroom experience teaching technology at the Middle School level.
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