Archive: Arts & Entertainment

In celebration of Black History Month, the Sciencenter will honor African American inventors and scientists on the Wall of Inspiration exhibit and offer a special presentation to highlight the work of George Washington Carver.

On Saturday, February 5, at 2 p.m. Sciencenter educator Miriam Musco will discuss the work of Dr. Carver, an African-American scientist who developed more than 325 products from the peanut. Visitors will have the opportunity to make their own peanut butter, an activity best suited for children and families with no peanut allergies.

Dr. Carver is among the African American inventors and scientists featured on the Wall of Inspiration. This award-winning exhibit features historical contributions and “firsts” by African Americans in the sciences such as those of David Blackwell, the first African American elected to the National Academy of Sciences; Bessie Coleman, the first African American woman to fly an airplane; Mae Jemison, the first woman of color in space; and Joycelyn Elders, the first female African American Surgeon General.

Neil deGrasse Tyson, the youngest person to be named director of New York’s renowned Hayden Planetarium; Ernest Everett Just, a biologist who was the first to reveal the secrets of cell function and structure; Zora Neale Hurstone, anthropologist, novelist and folklorist; and Robert Henry Lawrence Jr., the first African American astronaut who was tragically killed in a training accident before his first flight into space, are also among the scientists who are highlighted.

The Wall of Inspiration features both famous and lesser-known scientists who have made significant contributions to society. Each plaque includes the name of the scientist, a description of his or her achievements, a photo, a quote, and a dedication from a Sciencenter  donor. The Wall of Inspiration is located in the Community Room of the Sciencenter.

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