Black History Month is an opportunity to honor the achievements, contributions, and cultural heritage of Black Americans while fostering a deeper understanding of their impact on modern society. It’s also a time to create an inclusive learning environment where students recognize the importance of diversity in history, science, technology, and beyond.
In this blog, we’ll explore why Black History Month is essential to education and provide engaging ways to integrate this topic in your classroom through Ozobot’s interactive, hands-on STEAM lessons.
Why Black History Month Matters in Education
Representation Inspires
Representation in education matters. When students see the resilience, innovation, and accomplishments of Black Americans woven into their lessons, it empowers them to dream big. Learning about trailblazers in STEAM fields fosters inspiration and encourages students to pursue their own aspirations in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics.
Connecting Past and Present
Black History Month offers a chance to bridge historical events with current issues, helping students develop critical thinking skills. Understanding historical struggles and triumphs allows students to reflect on how diversity and inclusion shape today’s world and how they can contribute to a more equitable future.
Ways to Incorporate Black History Month Activities in the Classroom
Host a Black History Month Film & Discussion Series
Choose documentaries or films that highlight pivotal moments in Black history and encourage student discussions on the themes and messages presented.
Invite Guest Speakers or Virtual Panels
Engage students by inviting Black professionals in STEAM fields to speak about their experiences and careers, showing real-world applications of science and technology.
Create a Living Timeline
Assign students a Black historical figure to research, then have them present their findings while programming Ozobot to follow a timeline of key events using Color Codes or Ozobot Blockly.
Black History STEAM Challenges
Incorporate hands-on learning by designing activities that merge history with coding and problem-solving. Below are a few Ozobot lessons to get started:
Katherine Johnson the Human Robot
In this lesson, students will engage in an interactive activity by crafting a flight path for Ozobot’s Spaceship to land on the moon, just as Katherine Johnson did!
Subjects: Math, Science, Social Studies, Computer Science, Engineering/ Tech
Grades: 3-5
Prominent Black Engineers and Scientists
Students will choose an influential African American scientist and/or engineer, research their lives, and create a biographical timeline for Ozobot to follow using Color Code Markers or the Color Code Magnets, Base Kit.
Subjects: Social Studies, Computer Science, Engineering/ Tech
Grades: 6-12
Black History: Influential People
In this activity, students will read clues to identify five different influential people in Black history and draw a picture to show a major event for each. Students will create an interactive timeline using Color Codes to program their Ozobot to move through history.
Subjects: Social Studies, Computer Science, Engineering/ Tech
Grades: 2-5
