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Black History Month STEAM Edition:
This month I’ll be highlighting Black scientists from different fields, contributions made by Black scientists, and other cool facts you may or may not know!
It’ll be a thread so, if interested just come back and see what’s been added!
This month I’ll be highlighting Black scientists from different fields, contributions made by Black scientists, and other cool facts you may or may not know!
It’ll be a thread so, if interested just come back and see what’s been added!
The Stellar Detective: Mercedes Richards, PhD (1955-2016)
"I love the feeling that I have when I discover something new," she says. "And I try to pass on the excitement of astronomy to as many people as possible."
A powerhouse of a computational astrophysicist, Dr. Richards
"I love the feeling that I have when I discover something new," she says. "And I try to pass on the excitement of astronomy to as many people as possible."
A powerhouse of a computational astrophysicist, Dr. Richards
was a Jamaican 
astronomer who pioneered work in binary star systems. She was awarded The Musgrave Medal (Jamaica’s highest academic honor.)
She’s had visits to UVA, the Institute of Advanced Study, and a tenured professor at Penn State. #BlackInAstro https://news.psu.edu/story/141653/2009/08/05/research/stellar-detective-profile-professor-mercedes-richards
astronomer who pioneered work in binary star systems. She was awarded The Musgrave Medal (Jamaica’s highest academic honor.)She’s had visits to UVA, the Institute of Advanced Study, and a tenured professor at Penn State. #BlackInAstro https://news.psu.edu/story/141653/2009/08/05/research/stellar-detective-profile-professor-mercedes-richards
The Illusionist (1943-Present)
Valerie Thomas, a @MorganStateU graduate and retired @NASA scientist invented the illusion transmitter in 1980, which would essentially create the appearance of a 3D image using concave mirrors and rays of light. https://lemelson.mit.edu/resources/valerie-thomas
Valerie Thomas, a @MorganStateU graduate and retired @NASA scientist invented the illusion transmitter in 1980, which would essentially create the appearance of a 3D image using concave mirrors and rays of light. https://lemelson.mit.edu/resources/valerie-thomas
In her own words, she said that she learned on the job. She wasn't afraid of a challenge. Her patent & invention are still used today by NASA. She now works to inspire the youth but deserves her flowers. #BlackInPhysics #BlackInTech.
Quadratic Equations and Inspiring Math on the set of Hidden Figures: Dr. Rudy L. Horne (1968-2017)
Dr. Horne was a professor @Morehouse who consulted on the film @HiddenFigures. He was the first African American to graduate from the Univ. of Colorado Boulder’s (cont.) #BHM
Dr. Horne was a professor @Morehouse who consulted on the film @HiddenFigures. He was the first African American to graduate from the Univ. of Colorado Boulder’s (cont.) #BHM
Applied Math Department.
His work focused on nonlinear optical phenomena and four-wave mixing.
He consulted on Hidden Figure— taught the actors how to use the math language. He was a frequent attendee of CAARMS (I saw him there in 2017.) (contd) #BHM
https://www.caarms.net/custom
His work focused on nonlinear optical phenomena and four-wave mixing.
He consulted on Hidden Figure— taught the actors how to use the math language. He was a frequent attendee of CAARMS (I saw him there in 2017.) (contd) #BHM
https://www.caarms.net/custom
He sadly passed away in 2017 due to complications after surgery. Hear from him here and learn more in the links below:
@MathGiftedBlack did a great article here https://mathematicallygiftedandblack.com/honorees/rudy-horne/
@amermathsoc https://www.ams.org/journals/notices/201902/rnoti-p202.pdf
#BlackInMath #BHMinSTEM #BHM
@MathGiftedBlack did a great article here https://mathematicallygiftedandblack.com/honorees/rudy-horne/
@amermathsoc https://www.ams.org/journals/notices/201902/rnoti-p202.pdf
#BlackInMath #BHMinSTEM #BHM
Bioluminescence’s Bright Brain: Emmett Chappelle (1925 - 2019)
An astrochemist with a mind out of this world, Emmett Chappelle studied ways we could detect life on other planets by studying bioluminescent lifeforms. His ATP fluorescent assay is still used today. #BHM (contd)
An astrochemist with a mind out of this world, Emmett Chappelle studied ways we could detect life on other planets by studying bioluminescent lifeforms. His ATP fluorescent assay is still used today. #BHM
(contd)
In 1966, he was hired by @NASAGoddard Space Flight Center where his research developed ways of detecting stress on crops in fields using lasers, and medicinal tests to detect bacterial infection in blood and urine. He held 14 patents and on ‘07 was inducted into (cont’d) #BHM
The National Inventors Hall of Fame. His work has far-reaching applications from remote sensing astrobiology. Read more here:
https://web.whoi.edu/big/black-history-month-series-2020-emmett-chapelle/
And here: https://www.invent.org/inductees/emmett-w-chappelle
#BHM #BHMinSTEM #BlackInAstro #BlackInChem
https://web.whoi.edu/big/black-history-month-series-2020-emmett-chapelle/
And here: https://www.invent.org/inductees/emmett-w-chappelle
#BHM
#BHMinSTEM #BlackInAstro #BlackInChem
Austin’s Awesome Aerospace Adventure: Dr. Wanda M. Austin
The first woman and first African-American CEO of The Aerospace Corporation, Dr. Austin has had an incredible career as a STEM professional. She earned a Bachelor’s in Mathematics, M.S. degrees in (cont’d) #BHM
The first woman and first African-American CEO of The Aerospace Corporation, Dr. Austin has had an incredible career as a STEM professional. She earned a Bachelor’s in Mathematics, M.S. degrees in (cont’d) #BHM
Systems engineering and mathematics, and a Ph.D. in Systems Engineering. She also served as the interim president for USC. She served on the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology until January 2017.
Talk:
More: https://about.usc.edu/presidents/wanda-austin/
Talk:
More: https://about.usc.edu/presidents/wanda-austin/
Dr. Austin is committed to inspiring the next generation of minds to study STEM disciplines and to choose science and engineering as careers. Check out these links below:
Scholarship recipient:
On STEM education:
#BHM #BHMinSTEM
Scholarship recipient:
On STEM education:
#BHM
#BHMinSTEM
Gifted Geometry: How Geometry has Shown Up in Black Art & Culture
Geometry is a fundamental area in mathematics with numerous applications including how we describe the curvature of the universe from a cosmological perspective. In Black Art & Culture, geometry is sacred.
Geometry is a fundamental area in mathematics with numerous applications including how we describe the curvature of the universe from a cosmological perspective. In Black Art & Culture, geometry is sacred.
Dr. Gloria Gilmer, one of the pioneers of Ethnomathematics, explores how math is relevant in culture for example in braiding and hair styles, fractal patterns, and tessellations are often found in the design. #BHM #BHMinSTEAM
Gilmer on Black Hairstyles: http://www.math.buffalo.edu/mad/special/gilmer-gloria_HAIRSTYLES.html
#BHMinSTEAM Gilmer on Black Hairstyles: http://www.math.buffalo.edu/mad/special/gilmer-gloria_HAIRSTYLES.html
John T. Biggers, an artist, often used math in his work to convey messages on racism, African myth, family, and the importance of Black women. Quilt-like geometric patterning were the central unifying element of his work.
James Biggers on John Biggers: https://greensboro.com/the-right-angle-james-biggers-has-found-a-mens-of-expression-through-the-use-of/article_8a3ce1b1-0b3c-5db9-ad96-11f2b65ef543.html
James Biggers on John Biggers: https://greensboro.com/the-right-angle-james-biggers-has-found-a-mens-of-expression-through-the-use-of/article_8a3ce1b1-0b3c-5db9-ad96-11f2b65ef543.html
With these brief examples, it is important to note how art cannot be dismissed from STEM. Mathematics in it of itself is art. What was viewed as primitive was indeed very rigorous #BHM
TED Talk: Ron Eglash: The fractals at the heart of African designs https://www.ted.com/talks/ron_eglash_the_fractals_at_the_heart_of_african_designs
TED Talk: Ron Eglash: The fractals at the heart of African designs https://www.ted.com/talks/ron_eglash_the_fractals_at_the_heart_of_african_designs
Additional Sources:
Ron Eglash on Biggers’ work: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/299000294_A_geometric_bridge_across_the_middle_Passage_Mathematics_in_the_art_of_John_Biggers
Gilmer on Developing Women in Mathematics http://etnomatematica.org/articulos/Gilmer1.pdf
John Biggers papers: https://findingaids.library.emory.edu/documents/biggers1179/
Stay tuned for a follow up on the Adinkra Symbols used in Physics.
#BHM #BHMinSTEAM
Ron Eglash on Biggers’ work: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/299000294_A_geometric_bridge_across_the_middle_Passage_Mathematics_in_the_art_of_John_Biggers
Gilmer on Developing Women in Mathematics http://etnomatematica.org/articulos/Gilmer1.pdf
John Biggers papers: https://findingaids.library.emory.edu/documents/biggers1179/
Stay tuned for a follow up on the Adinkra Symbols used in Physics.
#BHM
#BHMinSTEAM
Stunning Supersymmetry Gifted from Gates: Jim Gates (1950 - Present)
Dr. S. Jim Gates, Jr. uses Adinkra symbols, which help in the study of supersymmetric representation theories. In physics, symmetry is EVERYTHING! At 52:19 Gates describes these symbols:
Dr. S. Jim Gates, Jr. uses Adinkra symbols, which help in the study of supersymmetric representation theories. In physics, symmetry is EVERYTHING! At 52:19 Gates describes these symbols:
Gates received his two bachelor’s from @MIT in Mathematics and Physics as well as his PhD. His PhD thesis was the first at MIT on supersymmetry. Adinkra symbols in physics make use of representation theory of super Lie algebras.
Check out Gates’ work: https://www.blackhistory.mit.edu/index.php/publications/symmetry-principles-selected-problems-string-theory-1973
Check out Gates’ work: https://www.blackhistory.mit.edu/index.php/publications/symmetry-principles-selected-problems-string-theory-1973
Gates’ brilliance has been widely recognized. He served on President Obama’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology. He is currently at @BrownUniversity serving as the Director of the Brown Theoretical Physics Center. He’s also a former President of @NSBPInc. #BHM
Check out some of his talks on his work and other references. His brilliance is MIND BLOWING!
Faith & Science:
Mystery of our Mathematical Universe:
Truth vs. Accuracy:
Faith & Science:
Mystery of our Mathematical Universe:
Truth vs. Accuracy:
The Curious Case of Rev. John Michell (1724-1793)
Today's discussion leaves many unanswered questions than facts. Rev. John Michell was ahead of his time with his pioneering thoughts on Black Holes, gravity, electromagnetism, and other areas of physics. https://www.amnh.org/learn-teach/curriculum-collections/cosmic-horizons-book/john-michell-black-holes
Today's discussion leaves many unanswered questions than facts. Rev. John Michell was ahead of his time with his pioneering thoughts on Black Holes, gravity, electromagnetism, and other areas of physics. https://www.amnh.org/learn-teach/curriculum-collections/cosmic-horizons-book/john-michell-black-holes
There is to this day no portrait of Rev. John Michell but his contemporaries describe him as, “a little short man, of black complexion, and fat.”
What does this mean? Why does this matter? Well, due to him not developing or self-promoting his ideas many would find their way
What does this mean? Why does this matter? Well, due to him not developing or self-promoting his ideas many would find their way
into the work of other scientists (some of whom gave credit.) For example, Henry Canvendish who became famous for his work on gravity through the torsion balance received the idea from his lifelong friend Michell.
Cavendish Experiment: https://sciencedemonstrations.fas.harvard.edu/presentations/cavendish-experiment #BHM
Cavendish Experiment: https://sciencedemonstrations.fas.harvard.edu/presentations/cavendish-experiment #BHM
His work includes:
In 1750, Michell showed that the magnetic force exerted by each pole of a magnet decreases with the square of the distance.
1755, he wrote a book that helped establish seismology as a science. Michell suggested that earthquakes spread out as wave. #BHM
In 1750, Michell showed that the magnetic force exerted by each pole of a magnet decreases with the square of the distance. 1755, he wrote a book that helped establish seismology as a science. Michell suggested that earthquakes spread out as wave. #BHM
First to apply the new mathematics of statistics to astronomy. Even so far as to study clusters of stars. His most pioneering work was in the proposition of Black Holes. In 1783, he came up with the idea by using escape velocities and other concepts to theorize a black hole.
The concept was so far ahead of is time that it didn't take root in the scientific community until 1916 after Einstein published his theory of gravity. Karl Schwarzschild then discovered the case for black holes. The ‘G’ in this equation is same as discovered by Cavendish. #BHM
With all of these discoveries and ideas, why is so little known of Rev. John Michell? Why is there no portrait of him only a description stating he was short, fat, and of black complexion?
There is so much left to learn about Rev. Mitchell. Considering all he was a part of
There is so much left to learn about Rev. Mitchell. Considering all he was a part of
there just seems to be something awry with very little documentation of his life. His story needs research.
What do you think? If you google his name you'll be surprised by what you see. #BHM
Read more:
https://www.aps.org/publications/apsnews/200911/physicshistory.cfm
https://www.queens.cam.ac.uk/visiting-the-college/history/college-facts/john-michell
https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=njp.32101064253543&view=1up&seq=431
What do you think? If you google his name you'll be surprised by what you see. #BHM
Read more:
https://www.aps.org/publications/apsnews/200911/physicshistory.cfm
https://www.queens.cam.ac.uk/visiting-the-college/history/college-facts/john-michell
https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=njp.32101064253543&view=1up&seq=431
Securing Your Safety: Marie Van Brittan Brown (1922 - 1999)
Marie Van Brittan Brown assisted by her husband Albert Brown invented the first home security system, which paved the way for many security systems today.
http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=/netahtml/PTO/srchnum.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&d=PALL&s1=3482037.PN.
#BHM #Engineering
Marie Van Brittan Brown assisted by her husband Albert Brown invented the first home security system, which paved the way for many security systems today.
http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=/netahtml/PTO/srchnum.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&d=PALL&s1=3482037.PN.
#BHM
#Engineering
Brown and her husband worked long and obscure hours. I’m feeling unsafe, she decided to figure out a way to see who was knocking at the door.
In 1966, Brown, along with the assistance of her husband brought the home security system to life and received a patent in 1969. #BHM
In 1966, Brown, along with the assistance of her husband brought the home security system to life and received a patent in 1969. #BHM
The invention consisted of peep-holes, a sliding camera, television monitors, and two-way microphones. The items came together to form CCTV.
Though she passed in 1999, her work was cited in at least 32 subsequent patents.
https://lemelson.mit.edu/resources/marie-van-brittan-brown
https://www.comsol.com/blogs/happy-birthday-marie-van-brittan-brown/
#BHM
Though she passed in 1999, her work was cited in at least 32 subsequent patents.
https://lemelson.mit.edu/resources/marie-van-brittan-brown
https://www.comsol.com/blogs/happy-birthday-marie-van-brittan-brown/
#BHM
