Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

Alex: American Inventors

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Young scholars will learn about 8 American inventors from the 1800's. They will use the internet of encyclopedia disc to research and print pictures and information about these people.
Lesson Plan
Other

African American Inventors Who've Changed Your Life (Pdf) [Pdf]

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Integrated lesson plan focusing on the contributions that African American inventors have made to modern society. Includes rationale, day by day plan, links, and other information.
Website
Other

African American Inventors and Inventions: Elijah Mc Coy the Real Mc Coy

For Students 9th - 10th
A brief biography of Elijah McCoy and a description of one of his inventions that made factory machinery run smoothly.
Website
Library of Congress

Loc: America's Story: Amazing Americans

For Students Pre-K - 1st
Checklist of inventors, politicians, performers, activists and ordinary people who made America. Meet Harry Houdini, Langston Hughes, Buffalo Bill Cody and dozens of other famous and interesting American adventurers, presidents,...
Website
Library of Congress

Loc: America's Story: Amazing Americans

For Students 3rd - 8th
Checklist of inventors, politicians, performers, activists, and ordinary people who made America. Meet Harry Houdini, Langston Hughes, Buffalo Bill Cody and dozens of other famous and interesting American adventurers, presidents,...
Website
Other

Pioneers, Inc.: Black Scientists and Inventors

For Students 9th - 10th
Find brief descriptions of the inventions of many African-American inventors in many fields in the 19th century.
Website
Curated OER

National Park Service: American Visionaries: George Washington Carver

For Students 9th - 10th
Despite being born a slave, read how Dr. Carver persevered so that he could become successful.
Handout
Smithsonian Institution

Smithsonian Encyclopedia: American Inventors Jonas Salk

For Students 9th - 10th
Focusing on a captivating photograph of Dr. Jonas Salk, this site gives a brief overview of his work as a noted research scientist and discoverer of the polio vaccine. There are also links to other American inventors' biographies.
Primary
Rutgers University

Thomas Edison Papers: Latimer's Patents

For Students 9th - 10th
Find a list of patents issued to African-American inventor, Lewis Latimer, to him individually or with another inventor. Clicking on the invention takes you a diagram of the invention as well as its description submitted to the U.S....
Website
Other

Lee De Forest, American Inventor: The Complete Lee De Forest

For Students 9th - 10th
An extensive site covering all aspects of Lee de Forest, his inventions, writings, and personal life. Find drawings and pictures of his audion tube and find out about his legacy, especially in the world of electronics.
Handout
Other

Black History From a to Z

For Students 3rd - 5th
Students will enjoy exploring this colorful site during Black History Month, or any other month! Follow the timeline of famous African American women and inventors, or just click on a letter of the alphabet to find brief pieces of...
Graphic
Smithsonian Institution

National Postal Museum: Famous Americans: Alexander Graham Bell

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn brief information from the National Postal Museum on Alexander Graham Bell, American inventor of the telephone, who was featured on the ten cent postage stamp.
Handout
PBS

Pbs: American Experience: People and Events: Alexander Graham Bell

For Students 9th - 10th
This PBS American Experience page provides a biographical survey of Alexander Graham Bell's life and inventions.
Website
Smithsonian Institution

Lemelson Center: Innovative Lives

For Students 9th - 10th
At this site from the Smithsonian Institute you can explore the world of invention by learning about inventors and their inventions. Searchable by name or subject, it is a great way for students to learn about science and technology.
Handout
PBS

Pbs Who Made America? Garrett Augustus Morgan

For Students 3rd - 8th
The African American inventor of a life-saving device, mechanical traffic signals, and more had to fight for recognition.
Handout
PBS

Pbs: American Exerience: George Eastman, the Final Shot

For Students 9th - 10th
This site provides a discussion about George Eastman's later life.
Lesson Plan
PBS

Billy Wilder: Film Noir Inventor and Genius

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This site is a lesson plan focused on post-World War II America and the film making career of Billy Wilder. Details on the Film Noir genre and its reflection of shifting American values. Click to a biography and timeline of Billy...
Website
Other

Afgen.com: George Washington Carver

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource reviews the life of famous African American inventor George Washington Carver. Includes mention of how this humble, soft-spoken man drew the attention of many important world figures of his day and how he "revolutionized...
Lesson Plan
University of Nebraska Omaha

University of Omaha: The Real Mc Coy

For Teachers 4th - 6th
The University of Omaha provides a cross-curricular lesson plan for 4-6th grades involving economics and language arts. "Elijah McCoy was an African-American inventor who successfully designed an automatic oil cup that may have inspired...
Graphic
Smithsonian Institution

National Postal Museum: Famous Americans: Samuel Morse

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn brief information concerning Samuel Morse, inventor of the telegraph, who was featured on the two cent postage stamp.
Website
Smithsonian Institution

Smithsonian Libraries: Innovators Gallery

For Students 9th - 10th
Who invented the tennis racket, Crayola Crayons or Tupperware? Smithsonian site invites users to explore the achievements of a variety of American innovators and inventors.
Handout
PBS

Pbs Who Made America? Timeline

For Students 3rd - 8th
A timeline of who made America- inventors and inventions.
Website
PBS

Pbs American Experience: Edison's Miracle of Light

For Students 9th - 10th
This site explores the various challenges Edison faced upon attempting to produce electric power. It contains a historical essay, a complete list of Edison's patents, information on the AC and DC currents, recordings produced by the...
Website
Other

Eli Whitney Museum: Eli Whitney

For Students 9th - 10th
This is the Eli Whitney Museum online. Provides information on the inventor, his product, his factory, and much more. Also provides information on the museum itself. Flashpoint not needed, but recommended.

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