As part of the Black History Month programming at Penn Valley Elementary School, students in Elaine Johnson’s third grade class were tasked with completing a research project on influential African American inventors, scientists and innovators.
Upon completion of their research, each student put together a presentation about their noteworthy figure using PowerPoint or poster board, along with any other supporting artifacts or materials they saw fit. The Panthers' projects highlighted such luminaries as Madam CJ Walker, Percy Lavon Julian, Dr. Patricia Bath, George Washington Carver, Guion Bluford Jr., Dr. Mae Jemison, Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, Elijah McCoy, Otis Boykins, Dr. Charles Drew, Benjamin Banneker and Dr. Ala Stanford, among others.
For the culminating activity, Ms. Johnson and her students hosted a "Gallery Walk" where guests had the opportunity to peruse the collection of projects to learn about the life and works of the selected iconic inventors, scientists and innovators. Several fourth-grade classes stopped by to check out the exhibit, as well as special guests Principal Scott Mitchell; Director of Elementary Education Dr. Jen Guadioso; Dr. Jason Lilly, Supervisor of Secondary STEM; and Dr. Dorie Martin-Pitone, Supervisor of Elementary Humanities!
Be sure to check out the slideshow below to see a collection of images from the Gallery Walk!