Learning About African American Inventors

Merrick Avenue Students Learn About African American Inventors

After learning about the inventions of three African Americans, students in Lauren Beinert’s class at Merrick Avenue Middle School were tasked with sketching inventions of their own.

They watched videos about Alfred Cralle, the inventor of the ice cream scoop, Garrett Morgan, the inventor of the traffic light and Lyda Newman, the inventor of the hairbrush.

“This lesson was a fun, interactive way to teach about Black History Month in a way that my students can relate to,” explained Beinert. “After all the world would look very differently if not for these innovative inventors.”

Photos courtesy of Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District

Beinert reinforced the challenging times these inventors faced and how they persevered. She drove home the point of overcoming problems when trying to achieve a goal.

“I want to be a special educational teacher and open my own arcade and nothing can stop me from making my dream come true,” student Ryan Lynch said.