Black History Month Assignment

Biography of a Famous African American Mathematician

Due: __________________

Assignment Objective:

Students are to research a famous African American mathematician and write a brief biography that describes the person, their background, and their contributions and/or accomplishments in the field of mathematics.

Required Biography FORMAT:

- If typed using a computer: 2 pages, double-spaced (12 font)

- If hand-written on lined paper: 2 pages, single spaced

- Neat, Organized, and Edited for Spelling and Grammar Errors

- Your Name, Date, and Title of the biography (make up your own title) are included either on a cover page or at the top of your paper

Required Biography CONTENT:

Note: Questions that are in BOLD are questions that you are required to address somewhere in your paper. The additional questions are listed to help you think of other things to share about your mathematician.

- Who is your biography about?

- Birth date? Death date? (or still alive?)

- Birth Place? (home town where he/she grew up)

- Educational Background? (Where did he/she go to school?)

- Any interesting facts about your mathematician?

- What did he/she do to make him/her famous? (What were his/her contributions or accomplishments in the field of mathematics?)

- How would you describe this person based on what you’ve learned about him/her?

- If you could meet this person what question would you ask him/her?

- Why is this person important? (or Why do you think he/she’s important?)

- Favorite phrase, saying or quote from this person regarding their career/profession/life?

Excellent Extras:

*You can be creative with your paper by including a cover page with a picture/drawing of your mathematician on it, by sticking your paper on a decorated poster with pictures of your mathematician on it, or by including a visual or additional information about something your mathematician is known for (example: if he/she invented something, tell us more about it!). These are just a few ideas to “spice up” your biography so we can display them for our school during Black History Month!

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Below is a list of 20 famous African American mathematicians you may want to research for your biography. However, this is absolutely not a complete list, so feel free to do your own searching and find someone who interests you (and meets the criteria of the assignment).

Benjamin Banneker Euphemia Lofton Haynes Clarence Stephens

David Harold Blackwell Gloria Conyers Hewitt Argelia Velez-Rodriguez

William Claytor Ronald E. Mickens Jesse Ernest Wilkins, Jr.

Elbert Cox Kelly Miller Floyd Williams

Etta Falconer Percy A. Pierre Grace Alele Williams

Gloria Ford Gilmer Kate Okikiolu Dudley Woodward

Raymond Johnson Adegoke Olubummo