Black History Month in Science: How Our Students Created Their Own Research Scrapbook

Recently, we have been working on an exciting research project in class on the topic of Black Scientists so as to observe the Black History Month. The research project culminated in the presentation of a scrapbook on October 21st. The process involved both pairwork and individual tasks, which helped the students develop key research and summarisation skills.

First, during the co-teaching lesson, the students were guided to begin by conducting thorough research on their assigned Scientist. We carefully insisted on the fact that they had to explore various reliable resources, ensuring that they gathered relevant information to include in their scrapbooks. As they researched, they kept a detailed list of all the sources they used, making it easier to reference them later when they had to present it.

Following the guidelines previously given in class and published in Google Classroom, we focused specifically on the information required for the poster the students were asked to create. To make the content authentic, the students made sure to write or type everything in their own words. They used various techniques, such as paraphrasing, rephrasing, retelling, and summarising the key points from reliable sources. If they had decided to use any direct quotations, they enclosed them in quotation marks and attributed them to the specific source, as per the instructions.

Throughout the process, it was essential that the students included both of their names on the final scrapbook to reflect the collaborative effort they had put into the project. Working as a team allowed them to share responsibilities and ideas, enriching the overall result.

Here is a sample of the research process carried out by Clara Durán and Elia Díaz:

ROGER ARLINER YOUNG

Fast facts:
-From: She is from Clifton Forge, Virginia, USA
-Born/ died: 1899-1964 (9 of november)
-Education: In 1916 she started studying at Howard University, in Washington D.C and she did her first science course in 1921 with Ernest Everett Just (the head of the Zoology department). She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 1923 and at the University of Chicago, she started a master’s degree in 1924, which received in 1926.
-Profession: She was a zoology, marine biology and biology scientist
-Greatest achievement:
She was the first black woman who made an important contribution in marine biology.
She was the first black woman who graduated and received her credential from her program Ph.D (doctor of philosophy).
In 2005, she was recognized in the Congressional Resolution for being a woman who achieved a reputation in science by passing a lot of barriers.
Why is she inspiring?:
She is inspiring because of her:
Perseverance
Determination
Braveness
Hardworking
Curiosity
Daring
All these adjectives describe her personality, which is the most inspiring thing, because of all the obstacles that she needed to overcome.
FAMOUS QUOTE BY HER
“Not failure, but low aim is a crime.”
By Roger Arliner Young in 1923.
(Written next to her graduation photo).
WHY IS SHE NOTORIOUS?
She is remembered as the first black woman in the US who held a doctorate in zoology either way of all the racism and inequality she suffered along the way. She is remembered as a brave and deciding woman.
She is also remembered for being the first black woman to publish an article in the prestigious journal Science.
Sources:
-https://marinesanctuary.org/blog/celebrating-wave-makers-dr-roger-arliner-young/
-https://communitiesthatcarecoalition.com/black-history-365-roger-arliner-young/
-https://www.sdsc.edu/ScienceWomen/young.
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200930-arliner-young-the-black-biologist-failed-by-science#

Here are some samples of their final product:

Irene Borrego and Irene Gordo
Clara Durán and Elia Díaz

On October 21st, they started presenting their scrapbooks, showcasing the hard work and research they had undertaken on Black Scientists. The project was a great opportunity to practice research skills, collaboration, and effective communication as well as to be aware of the importance of observing the BHM in every discipline.

Presentation Day