BLACK HISTORY MONTH PROJECT
In recognition of Black History Month, the following project is designed to demonstrate
the role of African Americans in the history of mathematics.
Select one from the following list of people:












Albert T. Bharucha-Reid (1927–1985)
Augustin Banyaga (b. 1947)
Benjamin Banneker (1731–1806)
Charles B. Bell, Jr. (1928–2010)
Charles Reason (1814-1893)
Clarence F. Stephens (b. 1917)
David Blackwell (1919–2010)
Edward A. Bouchet (1852–1918)
Elbert Frank Cox (1895–1969)
Etta Zuber Falconer (1933–2002)
Euphemia Lofton Haynes (1890–1980)
Evelyn Boyd Granville (b. 1924)











Gloria Conyers Hewitt (b.1935)
Gloria Ford Gilmer (b. 1956)
J. Ernest Wilkins, Jr. (1923–2011)
James Ezeilo (1930–2013)
Joseph J. Dennis (1905–1977)
Katherine Okikiolu (b. 1965) &
George O. Okikiolu
Kelly Miller (1863–1939)
Marjorie Lee Browne (1914–1979)
Raymond L. Johnson (1879–2012)
Ronald E. Mickens (b. 1943)
Wade Ellis, Sr. (1909–1989)
Do some research to find the following information about him/her:
 Basic biographical information such as date and place of birth, place of residence, school
and college, hardships, family, etc.
 What contribution did this person make to the study of mathematics?
 What contribution did he/she make to history/culture?
Answer the following questions:
 Why is this person important?
 Why do you think is special about this person?
 What do you like or admire most about this person?
 What did you learn while doing your research about this person?
 What can you learn from the life of this person?
Put the information together into a format of your choice:
 Poster
 Essay
 Skit/Play
 Song/Poem (written or recorded)
 Powerpoint
 Video
 Other (must be approved in advance by the teacher)
Grading:
Credit will be awarded based on the quality, depth, and creativity of the project.
Student #1: Name:
Student #2: Name:
Block:
Block:
GRADING RUBRIC
Biographical
Information
Contribution
to Field of
Study and
History/
Society
Individual
Assessment/
Evaluation
of Chosen
Person
Demonstration of
Learning/
Growth
Presentation
of Material
Essential
Question for
Each Grading
Category:
WHO IS THIS
PERSON?
WHAT DID THIS
PERSON DO?
WHY IS HE/SHE
IMPORTANT?
WHAT DID YOU
LEARN FROM
STUDYING THIS
PERSON?
HOW CAN YOU
CREATIVELY
PRESENT WHAT
YOU LEARNED?
20 Points
Detailed
biographical
information is
included, all of
which is correct.
Detailed
information is
included about
the person’s
contribution.
Detailed
assessment and
evaluation of the
chosen person is
included.
Project
demonstrates a
significant amount
of learning and/or
growth on the part
of the student.
Project shows
significant effort.
Project is neat and
creatively
presented.
15 Points
Detailed
biographical
information is
included, but some
of the information
is incorrect.
Some information
is included about
the person’s
contribution.
Some assessment
and evaluation of
the chosen person
is included.
Project
demonstrates
some of learning
and/or growth on
the part of the
student.
Project shows
some effort.
Project is
reasonably neat
an/or creative.
10 Points
Insufficient
biographical
information is
provided. Most of
the information is
correct.
Insufficient
information is
included about
the person’s
contribution.
Insufficient
assessment and
evaluation of the
chosen person is
included.
Project
demonstrates an
insufficient amount
of learning and/or
growth on the part
of the student.
Project shows a
limited amount of
effort and/or is not
very neat or
creative.
5 Points
Very limited
biographical
information
provided or most
of the information
provided is
incorrect.
Limited
information is
included about
the person’s
contribution.
Limited
assessment and
evaluation of the
chosen person is
included.
Project
demonstrates a
limited amount of
learning and/or
growth on the part
of the student.
Project is not very
well thought-out or
is very messy.
0 Points
No biographical
information
provided or all of
the information
provided is
incorrect.
No information
provided or all of
the information
provided is
incorrect.
No personal
assessment or
evaluation
included.
No demonstration
of learning or
growth as a result
of this project.
Project shows a
complete lack of
effort. Project
lacks any kind of
creativity.
Total Points:
Teacher Comments:
/
100
Grade: