African/Black Science Challenges #1 (Ages 6-10)
In this course, students will build their understanding of ancient-modern African (Black) scientific knowledge, discoveries, & technologies through fun hands-on challenges.
Ms. Sydney
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(44)
What's included
2 live meetings
1 hrs 10 mins in-class hoursClass Experience
Welcome to African Science Challenges #1! In this 2-week course, you will need to fasten your scientific thinking caps. For challenge #1 the theme will be IMHOTEP. Imhotep was one of the great African multi-geniuses from ancient Kemet (Egypt). Students will learn about his life and be put to the task of completing experiments that Imhotep would have performed to develop the technology of ancient Kemet. The first day students will be introduced to Imhotep as a scribe, the authors and documenters of all things important. Warning: this class will get MESSY! On the second day, students will change gears and learn about Imhotep's most known works as an architect; the builder of the oldest standing Step-Pyramid of King Djoser. Bring your blocks, clay, sand, etc because we will be working hard building! This class is jam packed with activity that you won't want to miss as a young scientist. Hope to see you soon! Session 1: Scribe Challenges (experimenting with colors and writing instruments) Session 2: Architect Challenges (experimenting with construction)
Learning Goals
Students will learn about Ancient African scientific knowledge through the historical figure Imhotep.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
For session 1, students will be using paint, and may need help tying string. Students should be in proper attire, have proper protective equipment and/or clean up equipment available, as well as proper work station for the mess that is inherently involved with paint. Please supervise the use of paint to ensure safety. Students will also need scissors to cut the string so please provide proper supervision for the limited scissor use.
For session 2, students will need a space to build/stack items. If using clay or sand, students may need an appropriate work station that allows for mess. If student does not have access to these items, cups, cards, construction paper, books, or other stackable items may do. If using paper, students may need to use scissors and tape to create "blocks" so parental supervision is advised.
Supply List
Day 1: I will provide an experiment log worksheet that will be used for both sessions, please print and/or have paper/pencil avail. Learners will need paint (red, blue, yellow, black, and white if poss, if not just the first 3), 1 brush or mixing stick, a plate or palette to put paints on, 1 small cup of water to rinse brush, wipes and/or paper towels available to wipe brush, hands, and area afterwards, 3 pieces of paper, can be any color, blank, or lined, string/yarn, a handful of twigs or small sticks, and a 3rd item of student choosing that is able to be dipped in paint and used briefly as an experimental paintbrush. May need scissors to cut string. Day 2: learners will need 2 DIFFERENT MATERIALS that can be stacked and about 10-30 units or a small-medium pile of the material. More is better, but whatever learners have available can work (we will be making a 6 step step-pyramid with each level getting smaller and smaller as we reach the top) For ex) students can bring some clay and a pile of blocks-two different materials, with enough of each to build. If students only have access to paper, students may need to use scissors and glue to create "blocks" with their paper. Acceptable materials are listed below, please select any 2: Blocks, wooden or plastic, any size Logs Rocks Clay Sand Kinetic Sand Books Cards Boxes Cardboard Socks Paper (if using paper-tape and scissors may be required) Plastic Cups
1 file available upon enrollment
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Sources
The following is a short list of sources that contain material relevant to Imhotep, both as a scribe, and as an architect.
Article that unacknowledged Imhotep as a physician, but notes his duties as a scribe-
*Blomstedt, Patric. “Imhotep and the discovery of cerebrospinal fluid.” Anatomy research international vol. 2014 (2014): 256105. doi:10.1155/2014/256105
Article showing primary source material (pictures of inscriptions on Djoser statue as the chief adviser to the king and builder, and other inscription of Imhotep as a scribe)
*https://www.arce.org/resource/search-imhotep-tomb-architect-turned-god-remains-mystery
Full biography on Imhotep and his contributions to science
*The African Background to Medical Science by Charles Finch pgs. 70-80
*Afrikan Builders of Civilization by Ashra Kwesi
*https://www.britannica.com/biography/Imhotep
Process of creating pigment and paper as a scribe
*https://www.historymuseum.ca/cmc/exhibitions/civil/egypt/egcw05e.html
Pictures of statues, figures, objects, and some information on Imhotep in British Museum
*https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/term/BIOG53946
Joined September, 2021
5.0
44reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Master's Degree in Education from Grand Canyon University
Instructor has taught several African science classes to young learners and has led these experiments in synchronous as well as asynchronous settings. I have researched and read a variety of works that contribute to knowledge on the subject of African science, ancient Kemet (Egypt), and a variety of African scientists, including Imhotep.
Something to note for African related subjects, is that Eurocentricity has dominated academia since the inception of the African Holocaust or Atlantic Slave Trade and though there are a variety of authors of many different races and ethnicities who write honest accounts of the subjects at hand, there are also innumerous amounts of work written to devalue and discard the research that combats this Eurocentricity. I am an educator who encourages families to do the research themselves, and to always use their own judgment in determining whether something is valid or not.
If parents and/or students would like to learn more I have provided a brief variety of source material to further learning, which is not at all exhaustive on the topic. Reviews
Live Group Class
$30
for 2 classes1x per week, 2 weeks
35 min
Completed by 2 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 6-10
3-9 learners per class
