Title: Innovators Who Inspire
Current Content:

Lesson Overview

Duration: 3 minutes
Grade Level: 7th Grade
Subject: Technology / CTE - Black History Month Spotlight
Teacher: Ms. Kenya Akins
School: John R. Griffin Middle School
Date: February Month (Black History Month)

---

Learning Objectives

Students will be able to:

• Identify at least two prominent Black innovators who contributed significantly to technology and computing fields. (CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.7.1)
• Summarize the impact of these innovators on technology and computer science. (CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.7.2)
• Reflect on diversity and inclusion in technology careers. (CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.7.1)

---

Standards Alignment

Common Core Standard	Description
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.7.1	Cite textual evidence to support analysis of informational texts.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.7.2	Write informative texts to examine a topic clearly.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.7.1	Engage effectively in collaborative discussions.

---

Materials Needed

• Projector or smartboard
• Printed short bios (1 paragraph) of Black technology pioneers (examples: Katherine Johnson, Mark Dean)
• Worksheet: "Black Innovators in Technology" (with space for notes and reflections)
• Printed timeline cards with names and dates of innovators
• Devices with Office 365 access for digital scavenger hunt
• Poster paper and art supplies for group project
• Short video clip about a Black technology innovator

---

Lesson Breakdown

1. Opening (30 seconds)

Hook: “Did you know that some of the greatest minds behind the technology we use today are Black inventors and computer scientists?”
Ms. Akins quickly introduces 2 key figures to the class, emphasizing their groundbreaking work and impact on modern technology.

2. Activity – Quick Read & Reflect (90 seconds)

• Distribute printed mini-bios and the worksheet.
• Students silently read about Katherine Johnson, NASA mathematician critical to space missions, and Mark Dean, Intel engineer who helped develop the first PC.
• Students write down 2 facts they found interesting or inspiring and answer one reflection question: “How do you think these innovators changed the world of technology?”

3. Technology Timeline Matching Activity (30 seconds)

• Provide students with timeline cards featuring various Black innovators and their key dates.
• In small groups, students arrange the cards in chronological order to understand the historical progression of technological contributions.

4. Digital Scavenger Hunt (45 seconds)

• Using Office 365 tools (such as OneNote or Teams), students search for one additional fact about Katherine Johnson or Mark Dean.
• Students add their findings to a shared digital document or worksheet to build collective knowledge.

5. Short Video Clip Viewing & Reflection Discussion (30 seconds)

• Show a brief video clip highlighting one Black innovator’s achievements and impact.
• Facilitate a quick class discussion reflecting on what they learned visually and how it connects to the bios read earlier.

6. Creative Group Poster Project (45 seconds)

• Divide students into small groups; each group selects one innovator to create a poster showcasing their life, achievements, and impact on technology.
• Groups share their posters in a quick gallery walk or presentation.

7. Group Share (45 seconds)

• Invite 3-4 students to share their reflections aloud from the worksheet or poster activity.
• Highlight themes of innovation, diversity, and perseverance in tech fields.

8. Closing – “I Can” Statements & Success Criteria (15 seconds)

Ms. Akins quickly affirms:

• “I can identify important Black figures in technology.”
• “I can explain how their work impacts technology today.”
• “I can appreciate diversity in science and technology careers.”

---

Differentiation Strategies

• For ELL & Dyslexic Students:

  • Provide dyslexia-friendly font versions of bios on colored paper backgrounds.
  • Read biographies aloud while students follow along.

• For Advanced Learners:

  • Challenge to research one additional Black inventor related to computing or STEM on their own time and prepare a one-sentence summary for next class.

---

Extension Activities

• Tech Biography Mini-Project: Students interview a family member or community role model who works with technology and prepare a short presentation connecting their story to the Black innovators learned.
• Creative Writing: Write a diary entry imagining a day as one of the Black inventors.

---

Assessment

• Informal assessment through observation of student reflections and group sharing participation.
• Review completed worksheets and digital scavenger hunt entries for accuracy and depth of understanding regarding innovators’ contributions.
• Evaluate group posters for creativity and comprehension of the innovator’s impact.

---

Success Criteria

• Student can name at least two Black technology pioneers.
• Student can share a one-sentence explanation of why these individuals matter in tech history.
• Student participates in class discussion showing respect and curiosity about diversity in STEM.
• Student contributes to timeline activity, digital scavenger hunt, and group poster project demonstrating engagement and understanding.

---

Note for Teachers

This micro-lesson is designed for quick integration into Black History Month activities within the Technology/CTE curriculum, connecting directly to ELA Common Core standards to encourage cross-disciplinary learning. It supports Office 365 usage by preparing students to research and manage informational content critically—a crucial 21st-century skill. The balance of reading, writing, speaking, and visual engagement aligns with Ms. Akins’s professional agenda style of pacing, student engagement, and productivity without overwhelming 7th graders.

Happy teaching and inspiring future tech innovators!