Black innovators changed the way we live through their contributions, from the traffic light to the ironing board. Most people have heard about famous inventions like the light bulb, the cotton gin and the iPhone. Among the creative innovators behind these devices are African-American inventors. And February marks Black History Month, the month we celebrate these achievements!
This Makerspace activity will consist of two parts:
- An interactive presentation and exploration of inventions by African-Americans and their impact to improve lives
- A “cardboard challenge” workshop in Makerspace where the participants design and construct a traffic light out of cardboard, then equip it with LED lights (red, yellow and green) by connecting LEDs in a circuit. The electric automatic traffic signal was invented by Garret Morgan, one of the most notable African-American inventors who also invented a hair-straightening product, a breathing device and a revamped sewing machine.
During the workshop, the participants will learn about inventions (devices which we all use daily) by African-Americans and how they made our life easier, while at the same time learning how to make a simple circuit and connect it with LED lights to power the cardboard traffic light to celebrate Garret Morgan.