Distinguished African American Scientists of the 20th Century (Distinguished African Americans Series) - Hardcover

Kessler, James H.; Kidd, J. S.; Kidd, Renee A.; Morin, Katherine A.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0897749553 ISBN 13: 9780897749558

Publisher: Greenwood, 1996

Synopsis

From George Washington Carver to Dr. Mae Jemison, African Americans have been making outstanding contributions in the field of science. This unique resource goes beyond the headlines in chronicling not just the scientific achievements but also the lives of 100 remarkable men and women. Each biography provides an absorbing account of the scientist's struggles, which often included overcoming prejudice, as they pursued their educational and professional goals.

About this title

About the Author:

JAMES H. KESSLER is a science teacher. He is the author/editor of Wonder Science, a monthly publication of the American Chemical Society describing hands-on science projects in physics, chemistry and biology for elementary school students. He recently completed two video presentations on the contributions of Africans and African Americans to world science, which have been well received by parents and teacher groups throughout the U.S.

J.S. KIDD is Professor Emeritus, College of Library and Information Services, University of Maryland, College Park. He is a specialist in science communication and has worked as a chemist and systems analyst in government and private industry. Kidd currently works part-time for the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, D.C.

RENEE A. KIDD is a historian and reading specialist. She has more than 35 years experience teaching reading at the elementary and middle school levels. She received bachelors degrees in science and in reading from Illinois Wesleyan, Bloomington, Illinois, a master's degree in reading from Loyola University, Baltimore, MD, and a master's degree in history from the University of Maryland.

KATHERINE A. MORIN is a high school history teacher at the Sidwell Friends School in Washington, D.C. She worked for several years on the editorial staff of the Samuel Gompers Papers Project at the University of Maryland where she received her master's in history.

Review:

"This volume contains biographies of 100 African Americans from all fields of science, medicine, and mathematics, approximately 20 percent of them women. . . . Most of these scientists are currently involved in either research or academe, and students will have difficulty finding information about them elsewhere. . . . This book is written for the middle and high-school user. The vocabulary and writing style are geared more for the younger reader, but the information will satisfy both groups. . . . Middle-school and high-school libraries will find this volume valuable because many of the people covered, such as Dartmouth physics professor H. Ralph Lewis and Bell Labs chemist James Mitchell, will not be found in other school resources. This book will also be an asset to multicultural collections in public libraries. Reading the stories of these lives may inspire young people, African Americans and others, to look toward the sciences as a career."-Booklist

"Intended for middle-school level and up, this book is recommended for most library collections."-Insights

"This book needs to be in all libraries and read by a wide audience - all teachers, all counselors, students, and parents."-African Link

..."a one-stop source of information useful for preparing a research paper or obtaining selected kinds of guidance material that might, in providing role models, expand potential occupational horizons."-Isis

"This valuable addition to the literature exposes the many obstacles in our society that African Americans have had to overcome to reach their present careers and occupations....The book is generally well written and is recommended to undergraduates, professionals, and the general public."-CHOICE

"This book is a must have for all math and science teachers who continually ask the question, "How can I incorporate multicultural education into such an 'objective' subject?" It includes some well-known people such as George Washington Carver, and others who accomplished much with little attention. The book is suitable for children over eleven years old. Language is concise and easy to follow."-The Multicultural Pavilion at the University of Virginia

"If you've ever felt the need for an inspiring story about an African American scientist for a student, you should have had this book on your shelf....the biographies show each scientist as a real human with interests and experiences similar to those of students, rather than as someone who was born a renowned scientist and is remote from the world....Students will be inspired by the stories of these scientists in this book that you will certainly want to add to your collection."-VOYA

"Few similar reference tools are currently available....A welcome addition to most libraries."-Library Journal

"Black students have countless role models to draw inspiration from, and this book offers insight into the lives of many such heroes."-Science and Technology in General

"Obviously written for school children, this would be most appropriate for school libraries and children's reference section in public libraries. The stories it tells of these scientists' lives and accomplishments are both informative and inspiring."-Reference Book Review

About this edition

• Publisher: Greenwood
• Publication date: 1996
• ISBN 10: 0897749553
• ISBN 13: 9780897749558
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 392