Discussing The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

Without a doubt, Henrietta Lacks was the most significant contributor to medical science and microbiology.  She wasn't a scientist or a doctor.  She was a mother and wife and grand-daughter of a tobacco farmer of Clover, Virginia. In February1951, she went to see doctors for what turned out to be cervical cancer at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland.  In the course of her treatment, doctors biopsied her cells to study them...and they never stopped growing.  Though she died months later (October 1951), her cells lived on as a result she has cured polio, developed in-vitro fertilization technology, visited outer-space, and helped unlock the mystery of the HIV virus.

Rebecca Skloots top-selling nonfiction book about Henrietta Lacks and her immortal cell line, Hela cells, is coming out in paperback form.  If you have yet to read it, then hesitate no more.

Moreover, I'll be leading a three part book discussion about this book at the Missouri History Museum (St. Louis, Missouri).
Confronting Science: African American Perceptions of Science and Medical Research
Tuesdays, February 8, 22, and March 8, 2011




African-Americans, as well as other minority and socio-economic marginalized groups, have had tumultuous relationships with the science research community. The period post American slavery was a time of racial definition and some scientists were set to demonstrate superiority of some groups over others. Combine this with secretive research missions, such as the Tuskegee Experiment which took place between 1932 and 1972, and it is very easy to understand why African-Americans are wary of experimental research. Compare these historical feelings of fear and distrust and it may also explain many inequities within the African-American community, including health disparities, participation in research studies, and pursing science-related careers. Ethics, Accessibility, and Faith were three of the major themes presented in the book The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot; and these themes are also major filters through which many African-Americans view science today. I will lead a three-part book discussion that confronts science and the research community via these filters and help the audience explore opportunities to see science and research in a wider and more inclusive way.

Part 1 - Ethics: Before any fruitful discussion about improving health care, access to resources, or increasing diversity in the sciences can occur, the painful accounts of science research must be fully addressed. The ethical issues presented in The Immortal Life provide an introduction to exploring the history of ethics in science research in the US, as well as thoroughly exploring people’s prejudices and perceptions of science, scientists, and the research community at-large.

Part 2 - Accessibility: The children and neighbors of Henrietta Lacks lacked access to quality long-term health care. This was not only due to their economic situations, it was exacerbated by their poor comprehension of science and medical terminology. Such barriers to understanding, as well as to care and career options, still exist for many today. I will lead a discussion on accessibility to science and health care – then and now – as well as share programs that aim to address these disparities.

Part 3 - Faith: Both Henrietta Lacks and her daughter, Deborah, were women of faith. Faith and religion have often been pitted as contrary to science. Moreover, faith plays a powerful role in health and healing within the African-American community. We will explore the role of faith for the subjects in the book, including the author who describes herself as agnostic, and how one’s personal faith is a filter to accepting or rejecting science and research.
Tuesdays, February 8, 22, and March 8, 2011

5:30 pm-7:30 pm

Schnucks Learning Center
Missouri History Museum

Participation is free, but registration is required; call (314) 361-9017.
If you live in the St. Louis Metro area, then please come on down. 

Making Science Make Sense with Dr. Mae Jemison

On Wednesday, September 8, 2010, THE Dr. Mae Jemison spoke a room of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) educators and advocates at the state of Missouri STEM Summit presented by the Department of Elementary & Secondary Education.

As I listened to her keynote talk: "Diversity in STEM: The New American Imperative", I fought hard, very hard, to control myself.  I was not only super excited about seeing her in person, but was so moved by her words.  She discussed shy science literacy matters for everyone, EVERYONE, and why bringing more women and under-represented minorities into STEM career tracks is critical to our nation's success.  As she put it, training ALL of our students in STEM prepares them to take jobs in innovation; or alternatively for those that do not wish to become scientists or engineers, we want them to be ready to understand and use new technologies and make decisions about science and tech policy or personal matters is important.

I really felt like she was reading my mind and sharing those thoughts with the world, especially when she remarked, "What was best about my education in science is that it gave me the ability to think critically and be flexible."  That's the heart of why science literacy matters.  It prepares individuals to make the best decisions possible for themselves and their families.


She then got to the heart of the talk for this audience of formal and informal STEM educators and advocates - How STEM is taught and learned.  I sat down in front directly facing Dr. Jemison, meeting her eye every time she look up.  And her words rang so true to me that the remainder of this post I'm using first person voice because everything she was saying, I have said, and I feel as passionately as she. And if you can imagine, I was bursting inside ready to stand up and testify; but vigorous head nodding was all I allowed myself to do in that professional setting.

Point #1 - Kids love science. They have this innate curiosity to learn about the word, to tinker, to figure things out.  The rote memorization of fact has bored the love of science and engineering out of most kids. "We have got to figure out how to use the prodigious construct for learning and keep them engaged in science past the exploratory/curiosity in science.  Rote memorization is not the way to get to improved STEM access to all students. Hands-on inquiry-based learning is a fancy name for kids doing science."  Science is a VERB, it's what I do.  (That last sentence is me).

Point #2 - STEM cuts across all fields. Reading,writing, arithmetic. Students learn all kinds of subject matter via science and science can be used to reinforce other subject matters.  It is an applied way to utilize these skills.  For examples, students read about experiments, take measurements, and summarize and present results.

Point #3. Everyone should be on board to improve STEM access and literacy.  Industry is very is important but we should run schools like businesses, but because industry gives us the feedback we need to help students prepare for these great careers in STEM.

Point #4 - Just putting a kid in front a computer is NOT science literacy. "Giving a child a chance to grow a potato in a cup is better science education than all of that fancy technology equipment!!" Preach, preach it.

Point #5 - What’s best for all students to do well in science that they have to have Exposure, Experiences, and Expectation – whether they become professional scientists/engineers or not. (And by now I was ready to jump up and shout).  A majority of career opportunities in science and engineering do NOT require a 4 year degree. As adults, we have got to do better job as guidance counselors or as parents or mentors.  We've got to help them know what their options are and make sure they are adequately prepared for them.

Exposure: Students must exposed to what scientists and engineers do.  This helps them know the variety of career possibilities available to them.

Experiences: One really needs some hands-on experiences to gain confidence in a subject. Try it out, then you'll know if you're good at it, want to do it, etc.  And confidence aligns with better performance in a subject.  Don't think so? But some studies have found that girls do as well or better than boys in math & science until the end of high school.  By then they are given the message that aren't as good as boys in this subject and coincidentally, they begin to perform poorly. For some reason, girls are given messages that make them feel less confident in their abilities in science and engineering, even when they do very well in these subjects.  Experience is the key to build confidence and better performance in STEM for all students.

Expectation: Expectation is predictive. Youth & Adults live up or down expectations. Pay attention to the words you say and the tone you set before all children, teens and adults.  Think back to the example of girls and math. 

At the end of her talk, I was the great science stalker that I am.  I managed to get not only a picture with her (even as her handler was trying to shuttle her out), but I hugged her, too.  I had to, I just had to.  I was ready to tackle the handler.  I was like, "Lady, do you not know how momentous this moment is for me right now?  I'm  seeing one of my role models - in the flesh, before my eyes. I'm ready to body-check for the chance to meet this woman!"  But it was all good.  Both Dr. Jemison and her handler were really sweet and accommodating and allowed some very quick group pictures before whisking her away to catch a flight out of Kansas City.

Dr. Jemison talking with a high school student from Kansas City. The young lady was sharing her interest in science.

My picture with Dr. Jemison, along with the outreach staff at St. Louis Science Center

Dr. Jemison is involved with science outreach and STEM diversity through two great programs: International Science Camp – The Earth We Share and Making Science Make Sense. Check them both out for more information.

Diversity in Science Carnival #7: Black History Month - Broadening STEM Participation at every level

Welcome to the 7th edition of Diversity in Science Carnival. This also marks the one year anniversary of the carnival. This carnival is all about the people, institutions and ideas that work to broaden participation of all people in the STEM field via education, research, public outreach, and good vibes in general. Broadening Participation of African-American audiences at every age, every level and over time is the theme that unites all of the posts submitted to this carnival. Thank you to all of the contributors.

Start them young!

A lesson well-learned by many who are dedicated to broadening STEM appreciation to African-American audiences is to reach them when they are young. One of my newest bestest blog friends is Rue Mapp of Outdoor Afro and she does just that. In A Day of Service: Celebrating the Legacy of Dr. King, she recaps time spent on a rainy MLK day doing ecological restoration with her young children .

She is definitely on the right track. Parents who provide positive STEM experiences really make important impressions on their children. As Roberta from Growing With Science Blog explains, in Meet a Scientist: Dale Emeagwali, Dr. Emeagwali decided to study science because her parents were such great informal educators and discovery mentors.

Today's Achievers in STEM
Ideonexus is becoming one of my favorite youth-centered computer science bloggers. He and his wife of TGAW essentially run a computer-science-after-school-club-internet-cafe for the kids in their Elizabeth City, NC neighborhood. He introduces his young charges, and us, to Dr. Clarence Ellis, the first African-American to earn an Ph.D. in comptuer science.

Dianne Glave writes about African-American participation in the environmental heritage movement. In Black Heritage Month, Buffalo Soldiers, and Shelton Johnson, she introduces us to Gloryland - a historical novel by NPS Park Ranger Shelton Johnson (you may have seen him on PBS Ken Burns National Parks) about Buffalo Soldiers and includes their participation in the founding of the National Parks System in the United States.

Under the Microscope collects stories from women involved with STEM with the goal of publishing a survival guide for young women in science. They submitted several posts for this edition of the carnival. First they provide a compiled a list of Notable black female scientists and innovators which includes Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson (Physicist), Ms. Valeri Thomas (Mathematician & Computer Scientist) and Dr. Patricia Bath (Opthalamlogical Surgeon).

Next they introduce us to Dr. Estella Atekwana, a biogeophysicist at Oklahoma State University in Geoscientist probes Earth for underground life and to Shaundra Daily, A Computer Engineer links computers, emotions and education. Both of these women do some incredibly interesting research. I'm personally glad for Under the Microscope for profiling so many scientists in the physical and mathematical sciences. I'm always eager to learn more and I'm a just as green about these subjects as some of the students I encounter in real life.

And if you didn't know, let me let you tell you, the most significant contributor to medical science and microbiology was an African-American woman. She cured polio, developed in-vitro fertilization technology, went into outer-space, and helped unlock the mystery of the HIV virus; but she wasn't a scientist. Deborah Lacks' immortal mother, born Henrietta Lacks, scientific name is HeLa cells, is the woman responsible for these and many more scientific breakthroughs.

Building Bridges & Making Allies

It is also important to remember the importance of alliances when broadening participating in STEM to under-represented groups. Greg Laden never fails to disappoint to unearth key points any dig (pun intended). His post, Race and National Bias in East African Palaeoanthropology shines light on this historical under-representation of [Black] Africans as professionals in East African Paleoanthropology and how the Leakeys (yes, those Leakeys) played a pivotal role in helping to remedy the disparity.

And BikeMonkey takes us there...literally. He responds stiffly to Eric Michael Johnson's Open Letter to the Animal Liberation Front and their Supporters via Things White People Love: Comparing Black People to Monkeys. He rips EMJ for comparing the unethical medical experimental on Blacks (born of the cruelty of slavery and Jim Crow oppression) to research done on animals, in particular to non-human primates. Speaking up - against inappropriate behavior AND for inclusion of others - is exactly what is needed to create a more diverse community in science and engineering.

Related to that, Philip Alcabes discusses Science, Race, and Silence surrounding the tragic events at the Biology Department of the University of Alabama - Huntsville. Many may not have realized it, but that department was a very diverse science department. Three people were lost in the tragedy, including two African-American professors. This event choked me up, too. I share my thoughts about the incident in my post The Black History Month Post I never wanted to write.

photo credit: NYTimes.com

This Diversity in Science Carnival Edition is dedicated to Dr.Gopi Podila, Dr. Adriel Johnson and Dr. Maria Ragland Davis and thoughts and prayers extended to the families of the victims, the alleged shooter and the entire University of Alabama-Huntsville community.

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of diversity in science using our carnival submission form. It will be hosted by Wild About Ants and will celebrate
Women's History Month.

The Black History Month Post I never wanted to write

In my entire college career, I have only had ONE (1) Black Biology Professor. Actually, he's the only Black Science Professor I have ever had. As a soon-to-be Ph.D. in Biology, who hopes to one day teach college biology, I see myself as part of the Future Professoriate. It shouldn't be historic for one person to earn a Ph.D. in the Natural Sciences, but it certainly can feel that way. The numbers of Blacks (and other minorities) earning doctorates in the sciences and engineering are growing, but still comprise only 1-3% of the total Ph.D.s awarded in the United States. When I find a job, I feel pretty sure that there will be at least another woman in the department (but no guarantee), and maybe other persons of color. But I am not holding my breath that I'll have a Black colleague. The numbers just aren't there and the profile of the average college or university in the average science department reflect this fact.

I can imagine how it must have felt for Dr. Ragland Davis and Dr. Johnson to be in the Biology Department at the University of Alabama-Huntsville. To be apart of a scholarly community of vibrant researchers, people of every complexion, relatively young department (many of the professors were middle-age), and to have another Black Professor down the hall - who earned a doctorate from the same university....it must have felt amazing. By all accounts this department was full of excitement and energy which I have found seems to co-occur in dynamic and diverse departments. Professors were excited about their research. They deeply engaged students and were memorable mentors. UA-H seems to be one of the most diverse Biology Departments I have ever known. It was a profile of Diversity in Science.

Then, on Friday, February 12, 2010, Amy Bishop walked into the department faculty meeting and changed everything. She disrupted the statistics, these precious statistics of diversity in science, and she changed the course of history in her life and so many others. This event was a tragedy: unnecessary violence and pain to the families of the victims; shock to students and fellow faculty; and a loss of mentors; and a loss of an exemplary department that seemed to know and value diversity and success. It is such a shame that Dr. Bishop could not counsel herself and deal with her issues - whether it was dealing with her denied tenured or her other demons. Science lost three great people and a really beautiful science department was forever changed.

Photo by Diana Toh, University of Alabama-Huntsville, via AP from NYTimes.com
From left, Gopi Podila , Adriel Johnson and Maria Ragland Davis were killed in the shooting Friday at the University of Alabama, Huntsville. Luis Cruz-Vera and Joseph Leahy were wounded.

In Memoriam
• Maria Ragland Davis was a 52-year-old associate professor of biology who specialized in plant pathology and biotechnology. She had been on the university’s faculty since 2002. Dr. Davis was a graduate of the University of Michigan. She held a master’s degree in chemical engineering and a Ph.D. in biochemistry from North Carolina State University.

• Adriel D. Johnson was an associate professor of biology and had been on the faculty at the university for more than 20 years. A longtime mentor of minority students, Dr. Johnson was director of the campus chapter of the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation. Professor Johnson was a graduate of Washington University in St. Louis. He held master’s degrees from Tennessee Technological University* and the University of Alabama at Huntsville. He earned his Ph.D. at North Carolina State University.

From the Journal of Blacks in Higher Education, February 18 , 2010 Newsletter.

*This event hit close to me emotionally and geographically. Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, Tennessee, is my college alma mater and I have attended classes at Washington University in St. Louis, MO.

Diversity in Science #1: Black History Month Celebration

Welcome the Inaugural Edition of Diversity in Science Carnival! This carnival celebrates the people of science and engineering – those who innovate, invent, research, teach, and reach out. This Blog Carnival tells the stories of achievement and perseverance. Why is such a celebration needed? Many reasons, but as Molecular Philosophy put it best, it is to showcase the individuals of science as ROLE MODELS. I think we have a fine list of Role Models for the Black History Month edition of Diversity in Science Carnival.

The Pioneers
This section is a tribute to those who have achieved despite barriers to participation and success. What Black History Month Tribute to Science wouldn’t include at least a blurb about perhaps the most famous Black Scientist known? None. That is why I’m leading this carnival with a post about George Washington Carver, agriculture scientist and peanut product developer, written by me.

DrugMonkey really took on the science blogger diversity challenge, writing four profiles, one of which is Faces of Neuropsychopharmacology: Percy L. Julian, Ph.D. Dr. Julian attended DePauw University, but due to racial segregation he wasn’t allowed to live on campus and most of the town’s restaurants refused to serve him. He eventually found work firing the furnace and doing other odd jobs for a (white) fraternity. In return, he was allowed to sleep in the attic and eat at the house. But you can’t keep a determined person down. He graduated Valedictorian and earned his Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Vienna.

Interestingly, many great scientists and innovators have been lost to our common knowledge of history. Lillian Nattel, a Novelist, shares with us a discarded chapter of one of her novels about 1890’s Chicago. She submitted a beautiful narrative – *An African-American Pioneer in Medicine – an account of Dr. Daniel Hale Williams, a Black Surgeon.

Another medical innovator is profiled by Adventures of a Funky Heart. Steve Catoe, an adult congenital heart defect survivor gave us a throwback post about Vivien Thomas, co-inventor of the lifesaving Blalock-Tuassig Shunt. Dr. Thomas’ story is so amazing, so inspiring that a TV Movie was made about him and his scientific achievements, Something the Lord Made, starring Alan Rickman and Mos Def.

Finally, homage is paid to a scientific pioneer in my own field, Animal Behavior - Dr. Charles Henry Turner. In fact, there are two entries about him, Charles Henry Turner: Animal Behavior Scientist by me and A Beautiful (Black) Mind: Charles Henry Turner by Black on Campus, a blog that features historical pictures of African-Americans in higher Education.

The Innovators
This section could also be called the Patent-holders, since each the profiled innovators were involved in patented inventions. Alice Pawley of ScienceWomen re-introduces readers to a pioneering innovator, Mr. Lewis Lattimer who worked with the team that invented the light bulb filament.

Chick with PhizzleDizzle, a blog about the world of Computer Science, writes about Kunle Olukoton, the brains behind Sun Niagara and server-class chip multiprocessing platform.

I am especially glad that this carnival appeals to more than science and engineering bloggers. Patent, Trademark, Copyright and Internet Law Attorney Brett J. Trout, who blogs at BlawgIT offers an amazing Top 10 African American Inventors list. He even includes a patent number of an invention of each of his finalist. Go on Brett, way to connect your blog theme to this carnival!

The Achievers
As this carnival got underway DrugMonkey made a poignant point…profiling persons more accessible or current and connecting someone who may be more “familiar to us right now can be much more inspiring than a remote genius who is in many senses an outlier or oddity”. I agree whole-heartedly. Profiling living breathing scientists is as essential as paying homage to history. And Drugmonkey introduces us to three of his/her colleagues in Drug Abuse Research: Carl L. Hart, Ph.D., Yasmin L Hurd, Ph.D., and Chana K. Akins, Ph.D.

Canadian Girl Postdoc in America holds down the Math representation is this carnival with an introduction to Associate Professor of Mathematics University of California at San Diego, Kate Okikiolu'. She further enlightens us by providing some hard statistics on the number of Black female and female recipients of advanced degrees in math.

Miriam G. of The Oyster’s Garter introduces us to Dr. Tyrone Hayes who speaks for the frogs, or rather spits dope rhymes for frogs. He is truly my kindred – science, big hair and hip-hop. And you must check out his rap about the effects of Atrazine on frogs.

Speaking of kindred spirits, Thesis with Children author, AmceGirl writes about Dr. Erick Jarvis. Like her, before becoming a scientist he was a dancer. He now studies molecular behavioral mechanisms of bird song as has a faculty position at Duke University.

Obviously, Chemical Oceanography Professor Dr. Ashanti Pyrtle is so nice, she was mentioned twice! Sciencewoman’s piece, Dr. Ashanti Pyrtle: Combining a love of science with a passion for mentoring and Miriam G’s brief bite Dr. Ashanti Pyrtle, radioactive superhero attest to her scientific hotness.


The Influencers
Nurturing and mentoring upcoming scientists and engineers was repeatedly discussed at ScienceOnline09. Many have ‘bemoaned the difficulty of hiring minorities and felt there just aren't any out there!” Then as Zuska says, ‘maybe you need to get off your behind and start mentoring and growing some’. The following profiles are of the people who are doing or have done just that.

Thus Spake Zuska introduces us to Dr. Pamela Gunter-Smith, a Physiologist who became first a Department Chair of Spelman College and is now Provost and Academic Vice-President of Drew University. Administrative positions are equally important for career advancement, role modeling, and mentoring of new scientists, especially for members of under-represented groups.

Dr. Isis introduces us to Dr. Avery August, Professor of Immunology and Co-Chair of Intercollege Graduate Degree Program in Molecular Medicine at The Pennsylvania State University. He takes his science and science mentoring seriously; and participates in a doctoral bridge program between his institution and Historically Black College, Alcorn State University in Mississippi.

Such programs that bridge connections between minority and majority institutions are key to cultivating new scientists and engineers. GrrlScientist shows and tells us all about a wonderful program - The NCCU BRITE facility with North Carolina Central University (a historically black college) in the Research Triangle.

Pat C. of FairerScience tells of the greatness of Dr. Freeman Hrabowski. Like our other influential scientists in administrative positions, Dr. Freeman is a college President and “he has been the point person in creating an environment where successful minority science students are the rule not the exception.” The Meyerhoff Scholars Program of University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC – a majority institution) is perhaps one of the most successful STEM diversity initiative programs in the United States; it certainly is the most inspiring one.

Finally Dr. Free-Ride of Adventures in Ethics and Science, shares a very personal Profile of Mentoring and her relationship with Dr. James E. LuValle. LuValle, who earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry under Dr. Linus Pauling, won a bronze medal in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, and was the first African-American employee of Eastman Kodak, was also the Retired, yet retained Professor and Director of Undergraduate Chemistry labs at Stanford University. She had the opportunity to be mentored by him and learn that “she could do it” and become a grown-up scientist, thanks to his kind and patient ear and advice.

Still a long way to go
Finally, there is still more road to cover. Greg Laden recounts a few personal incidences from his life when he has come face-to-face with the lack of inclusion of African-Americans in science and science discourse.

Finally, Journeys of an Academic reminds us that too many great innovators have gone unremembered with the post about Otis Boykin. Besides the knowledge that he was an Electrical Engineer who invented the control unit for the pacemaker, very little else published about him or his other achievements.

Like Academic, I too wonder “how many other great thinkers have been abandoned by the historical record…As science, technology, engineering and mathematics generally present themselves as being more about the idea and less about the face of the person who generated the idea, how can we keep the various people from fading into obscurity?” I think discussions in real life and online (like this blog carnival) that celebrate the people of science is one way not to forget.

Join us late March/early April as Diversity in Science and Scientiae celebrate Women’s History Month and salute woman achievers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. To give you a little taste, check out Phlebotomy’s 50 Must Read Women Science Bloggers.

Charles Henry Turner: Animal Behavior Scientist

Charles Turner was born in 1867 to newly freed slaves. He was raised and schooled in Cincinnati, Ohio. In fact he earned his undergraduate degree (B.S.) and graduate degree (M.S.) from the University of Cincinnati. In 1907 he earned his Ph.D. in Zoology from the University of Chicago. Moreover he was the first African-American to earn these advanced degrees from each institution.

Dr. Turner is indeed an academic Hero of mine and a Pioneering Innovator in my field of study, Animal Behavior. In fact, he published papers about insect behavior and navigation (as well as animal physiology) in journals like Animal Behaviour and Science Magazine, and is recorded as the first African-American to do so.

He served as chair of the Science Department and taught Biology at for a time at Clark University (now Clark-Atlanta University). Turner-Tanner Hall is named in his honor. He also inquired about a teaching and research position at Tuskegee Institute. However, it is said that Booker T. Washington was unable to pay the salary of two distinguished science professors, since George Washington Carver was already on faculty. However, he eventually settled in St. Louis, Missouri and taught at Sumner High School, the first high school for African-Americans west of the Mississippi River (in the United States). Though many documents record him as teaching biology at the high school, Sumner was also a Normal School, akin to a Teachers College, and he may have taught college or preparatory science courses, too. Regardless, Dr. Turner maintained scientific productivity, conducting research and writing papers on various subjects.

Of special note is his work with Hymenoptera – bees and ants and how they navigate and communicate. He conducted his groundbreaking research on honey bee memory, color-vision ability, communication and navigation at O’Fallon Park, in North St. Louis, Missouri. Dr. Turner believed that bees may be creating, 'memory pictures’ of the environment, a very novel idea at time. Yet, today we know that scouting bees can accurately communicate the location, distance, as well as quality of a field of flowers to hive mates.

After his retirement from Sumner in 1922 and death in 1923, a nearby school in the same neighborhood was named in his honor. The Charles Henry Turner Open Air School for Crippled Children was founded in 1925. Later the school was renamed Turner Middle School. Today he is also honored by the international members of the Animal Behavior Society. He is recognized as not only a pioneering professional in the field but a role model. The society’s undergraduate diversity program is named in his honor.

List of links with more information about Dr. Turner and his legacy.
Planet Science Out There – Black History, Charles Henry Turner
Dr. Turners Doctoral Dissertation, this should give me inspiration as I write mine. If he can do it with a full time job, a family, deal with racial disparities, and no internet, then I can do him proud by finishing mine and I have far fewer life distractions.
A Brief Biography of Charles Henry Turner
Chronology of Charles Henry Turner
Biography of Charles Turner
Bug Watching With Charles Henry Turner (Naturalist's Apprentice Biographies) A book by Michael Elsohn Ross

Black & Brown Faces in America's Wild Places - A Picture Book.

Okay, I dropped the ball on Monday Book Reviews. I am very sorry about this. Travel and conferences can take it out of me....And I know that Dissertation Progress Meter hadn't moved much and my deadline is less than 48 hours away. Watch how busy I will be in the next two days.

But thanks to the conference and a session I attended - Chicago Wilderness: Integrating Biological and Social Diversity into the Future , I met the panelists, one of whom told me about Dudley Edmondson and his book Black and Brown Faces in America's Wild Places. I must disclose that I have NOT read this book. But I am recommending it - to myself and to you.

Edmondson is a Photographer and Outdoor Lover who took on the task of documenting people of color enjoying the outdoors. He created this album of photos to dispel the notion that African-Americans do not enjoy the outdoors. Here! Here! And he provides stock photos of people of color engaging in outdoor activities like hiking, mountain biking, enjoying nature as well as general nature, wildlife, and landscape photos. Where was this resource when I was working with the Missouri Department of Conservation trying to do outreach with North St. Louis Communities? At one point, my team and I were trying to put together a display board to would serve as a visual aide to why visiting the natural areas were great. But all of our photos of people hiking, fishing, biking, kayaking, and bird watching were of people who looked nothing like our target audience. If only I had known.

Check out Edmondson's Photography Website: Raptor Works Photography.

I'm getting back to work on the Dissertation now...

The George Washington Carver Exhibit at the Missouri History Museum

Last year for Memorial Day I was in Chicago. There were signs everywhere advertising an upcoming exhibit about George Washington Carver, quite arguably, the father of African-American Science. Though I visited Chicago a few more times over the summer and early fall, I was unable to make the exhibit at the Field Museum. Then lo, as I was enjoying one of the last Twilight Tuesdays concerts of the 2008 season, I saw a familiar banner. The George Washington Carver exhibit was soon coming to my town! How lucky I felt. I really wanted to see this exhibit. And anyone who knows me – as an educator and scientist – knows how I get can get swept up in a learning theme. I mean what’s better than imparting information about a host of subjects – science, social studies, agriculture, ecology, history, politics, business – than through all-engaging real-life theme.

I feel many connections to the Carver story. His first learning experiences were while he was outdoors playing. He studied agriculture – so did I in college. He did not attend a Historically Black College or University. He believed in vocational purpose and his work was intended to help those who would benefit from his inquiries the most, the under-served rural African-American community. He was eco-conscious and promoted environmentally friendly living and farming. And as I learned during my visit to the George Washington Carver Exhibit at the Missouri History Museum, he was an Outreach Scientist, as I aspire to be. He readily shared his knowledge with others.

In 1896 completed his graduate studies in Agriculture at what is now called Iowa State University, considered one of the leading universities in agriculture education and research. He was immediately recruited to the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama by Booker T. Washington. The college was an active learning center. Students worked and learned simultaneously, applying the concepts and principles of knowledge on campus – either building classrooms or farming the fields.

Academically, Carver was a perfect fit for the institution. True to his agriculture training, he was an applied scientist. He used knowledge gained from basic science to solve humanities pressing problems such as hunger and economic disparity. His understanding of ecology, mycology, soil science, chemistry, crop rotation, fertilization, pest control, and use of rhizomal plants like peanuts, revolutionized farming. He helped farmers take better care of their soil so that it could provide the food and cash crops needed to support their families.

Related to that, he developed countless ways to use these novel crops – soybeans, sweet potatoes, and peanuts. Unlike cotton, the cash potential for these crops was considered very low. As a result of his diligence, Carver discovered expanded food and nutritional use for these crops, such as flour, candy, oils, and sugar. He developed hygiene, household, and industrial products, too -- such as lotions, cleansers, renewable fuels, paints, and stains. Because all of these products were from plants, they were lower in toxicity, had less of a negative environmental impact, were renewable, and biodegradable. In fact, many of his agriculture approaches are now the foundational concepts of Eco-conscious and Sustainable Living. He encouraged farmers and families to compost and rotate their crops and he routinely recycled and repurposed discarded items. Professor Carver was Green, all the way!

However, Carver believed his research was pointless if he could not bring knowledge to the people. He published bulletins in simple everyday language to communicate with teachers, farmers and housewives how to cultivate, grow, and prepare products from soil to table. And there was the Jessup Wagon. The Jessup wagon was a movable school that Carver and his students used for community outreach. They would park the wagon at public events fairs or after church and deliver the information directly to the people. The wagon included educational materials about better farming practices, including charts about farm animal husbandry, farming products and equipments, as well as demonstrations and samples of crops and soil samples. He even enticed the farmers with product giveaways such as seeds and farm tools. The whole of his academic endeavors were dedicated to helping poor rural farmers get the most of their land and he used every media method available to him to reach people.

This fabulous exhibit ends on Monday, March 1, 2009. Don’t miss it or else you will have to go to Dallas, Texas, were it is travelling next.

The Rightful Place of Science in Society and the African-American Community

In President Barack Obama’s Inauguration Speech, he vowed “to restore science to its rightful place” in society. Wow, that fills me with an excitement and eagerness to do and share science more than before. However, what is science’s rightful place in society? And what place should science have in the African-American community?

There has been a long and understandably uneasy relationship between the Black Community and Science. Being regarded as less-than-human by other groups has put many of our fore-parents in harm’s way. I could speak volumes on the unethical medical research and heartless medical providers, but “this is a new day”, as Obama declared. It is time to restore Science - the offspring Education and Intellectualism - to its rightful place in our community.

In order to restore science to its rightful place, we must first acknowledge what science is. Science is a pursuit of knowledge. It drives us to question, to critique, to hypothesize, to measure, to evaluate, to interpret, and to propose solutions to our community’s most pressing needs. It is an exercise of intellect, discipline and curiosity that compels us to want to understand our world and to make it better. Restoring science to its rightful place requires a dedication for us all to become scientifically literate – to understand science and use it to enhance our lives.

Science is simply information about our world, our environment, and our health. People’s lives are impacted by information, and failing to comprehend information can be very detrimental. I have personally witnessed the heartbreaking consequences of scientific illiteracy in our community, such as individuals deciding to forgo life-saving medical procedures, not following to doctors’ health advice, moving into environmentally hazardous buildings, and sharing false information about health or medical issues with others. Many of us have confused superstition as fact, and have paid the price. Moreover, many of social circles do not include scientists or doctors so we have no one to call when questions arise. Image how much better our lives would if science were a part of the decisions we made about our health, our children, and our environment?

The rightful place of science is in our day-to-day dialogue with friends and family. The rightful place of science is at our dinner table, happy hour gatherings, within the banter of men in barber shops and among the chatter of ladies in hair salons. Science rightfully belongs to us, the people. It is not some mysterious activity done by ‘others’. No, many of the greatest scientists of all time came from our community - Drs. Charles H. Turner*, Edward Bouchet*, George Washington Carver, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Mae Jemison, Ian Smith, Shirley Jackson, James Gates, Maydianne Andrade, and Shirley Malcolm. Science is our most handy tool in our arsenal against discrimination, poverty, socio-economic disparity and environmental injustice. The rightful place of science in our society and the African-American community is within us.

*Both were teachers at Sumner High School of St. Louis, Missouri in the early 1900s.

Celebrate Urban Birds

How about a year-long Urban Wildlife Watch just for birds? Thanks to Mini-Grants Available for Local Events offered by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, it could happen – for you and me. The Cornell Bird Lab promotes outreach and citizen science at every level. Celebrate Urban Birds is a special program that encourages urban bird watching, recruiting young people from inner-cities to learn about birds, and participating in neighborhood activities focus on birds and nature.

An example of a great Citizen Science/Urban Bird Project is The Urban Bird Sounds Project: An Audio Guide to Urban Birds produced by students of Codman Academy Charter Public School. It is a great site – pictures, narratives, and audio to teach you how to identify common city birds by its bird song and its physical appearance. Free educational materials are also available. (Thanks Regan for letting me know about this).

And related to Urban Birding and Black History Month, I wanted to introduce you to two African-American Urban Bird Watchers: John C. Robinson and David Lindo.

John C. Robinson is an ornithologist, wildlife biologist, author, and noted urban birdwatcher. Check out his website to learn more about him, birds, and urban bird watching.

David Lindo is a broadcaster, writer, talker, and bird guider. Check out his comprehensive blog about urban birding and conservation.

These are two pioneers in urban nature watching and outreach, will you follow in their paths?

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The Press Release Announcing the Mini Grant.

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology invites organizations and educators to apply for its Celebrate Urban Birds project mini-grants. Mini-grants average $100 to $500 and help fund neighborhood events across North America.

Celebrate Urban Birds is a free year-round project that collects information from everyday people about 16 species of birds that may be found in urban areas. Participants spend 10 minutes watching birds in their neighborhood and report their observations online at www.CelebrateUrbanBirds.org. This information helps scientists better understand how birds survive in cities and make use of greens spaces, including parks and gardens.

A local Celebrate Urban Birds event connects the arts, music, dance, and gardening with birds and science. Celebrate Urban Birds mini-grants could be used to support a bird-activity day at a local museum, afterschool, library, or community center, or fund art and gardening activities at your club, business, school, senior center, or neighborhood.

To qualify for a mini-grant, please plan to:
- hold a Celebrate Urban Birds event in 2009
- introduce the public/youth to birds
- collect Celebrate Urban Birds data and inspire others to observe birds and collect data
- distribute Celebrate Urban Birds kits (with posters, seeds, and more)
- integrate the arts
- integrate gardening/habitat creation
- get people outside

Application deadline is February 15, 2009

I’m seriously thinking of applying for the Cornell Mini-grant. I’m also encouraging all of you out there to apply, too. Organizations/individuals working with traditionally underserved communities are strongly urged to apply. No experience with birds required. That’s good to know, so no excuses. Any takers out there? If you or someone you know receives this grant, let me know. I would love to know how things are going and to blog about it.

If anyone in the St. Louis, Missouri area participates, let me know. I’d be happy to help out or contact me. We can write the grant together. I’ve assisted with some bird netting and bird handling. I’m also pretty good at public programs and such.

It’s Black History Month! Celebrate Science and African-American Achievements

All year is great time to learn more about science and the people who make the discoveries. But February offers a great opportunity to learn about the achievements of African-Americans (and others from the African Diaspora) in the sciences. So I’m introducing a new Blog Carnival – Diversity in Science. Blogs of every genre are invited to write a special feature post about a person who is a pioneer and/or innovator in any of the amazing fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
Tell us all about him/her?
How has this person impacted field of STEM and/or inspired you?
Or why is his/her story interesting?

With this being Black History Month, the inaugural carnival will be about African-American Innovators. Simply post a fabulous essay about any science hero past or present and submit it to the carnival. Deadline is Friday, February 20th. I’ll host this first edition of Diversity in Science on Tuesday, February 24.

The inspiration to create this Blog carnival was born of the ScienceOnline09 Conference in the Race & Science session, co-moderated by AcmeGirl. However, the conversation about diversity began in the Gender in Science session moderated by Suzanne Franks, Abel Pharmboy and Alice Pawley.
Together, the two Diversity sessions touched on the current state of diversity in the sciences, the role of allies to support women and minority scientists, and how to encourage more minority participation in science blogging. In fact, one line of conversation that really struck me was the idea of using the internet, blogs in particular, to share with others the diversity of the scientific community. The Web provides new methods and means for action and effecting positive change in the public’s perception of minorities in science and even attracting kids into science. Blog rolling, giving blog awards, guest blogging, and writing profile/interview posts are great ways to promoting science, nature, technology and engineering to new audiences as wells promote blogs written by persons of color. And a Blog Carnival about Diversity in Science is a perfect way to build cross-community relationships among the many different internet communities, for example science and nature blogging communities, African-American blogging communities and social-political commentary blogging communities.

So how about joining the already committed science and Blacks in Higher Education Bloggers is this Carnival? Together we can help create a beautiful mosaic of diversity of STEM like the pictures of my friends from science conferences.

Diversity in Science Carnival

Deadline Friday, February 20th.
Submit via the Blog Carnival Submission link or leave your link in the comments.
Advertise and promote the blog, now and when it is published.

Finally, get ready for the second edition of Diversity in Science with March – Women’s History Month: Celebrate Women Innovators.

Black Scientists Contributions on Exhibit in Chicago, St. Louis

Going Green is not new, and neither is the participation of the African-American Community in the Green Movement or Green Economy. Dr. George Washington Carver (a Missouri native) was essentially the leader in U.S. Green Innovation. This winter, two cities will host exhibits that pay special tribute to his and other Black Scientists' contributions.

Scope Out Black Creativity at the Museum of Science and Industry
Chicago

Botanist and inventor George Washington Carver and modern-day black contributors to ecology, conservationism and environmental issues will feature in Chicago Museum of Science and Industry’s 37th annual Black Creativity celebration: Green Revolution.

On view from January 15th to March 1st, “green pioneer” George Washington Carver, whose studies and teaching revolutionized American agriculture, will feature along with the contributions of black farmers, engineers, designers, plant geneticists, entrepreneurs, and historically black colleges and universities.

Read the rest of the article at BlackEngineer.com

Exhibition George Washington Carver at the Missouri History Museum St. Louis

Through rich imagery, historical artifacts, audio-visual programs, and hands-on interactives, visitors will discover how Carver went from slave to scholar, his pioneering of natural product development, the work he did to resurrect the soil of the South, why he was the people’s scientist, and what his legacy is today.

This exhibition was created by The Field Museum, Chicago, in collaboration with Tuskegee University and the National Park Service, and is on exhibit November 29, 2008 - March 1, 2009.

Black History Feature: Matthew Henson - Arctic Explorer

Arctic Explorer and African-American Matthew Henson is considered a great figure in science and history. History records him as the first Black Man to reach the North Pole, along with Robert Peary, and 11 others in that brave expedition. The year was 1909 and they overcame amazing odds against nature to survive the journey and return to document their findings. He is considered a national hero and is buried at Arlington National Cemetary. But a very important science discovery and moment in Black History very well lose all significance and context.

Why? Fewer that 100 years since that team's arrival to the Artic, our generation may actually witness the sad loss of this special and important ecosystem. Arctic (and Antartic Ice) is melting...way too fast. Some researchers sadly predict that the summer Artic ice may be completely gone by 2012, much faster than predictions made only a few years ago. That's only 4 years from now!!! That is alarming. And if you thought that film footage of the exhaused polar bear on Planet Earth was heartbreaking, then get ready to buy more tissues. Polar Bear habitat is at risk..from global warming and human economic activities.

Let's get educated, become aware, and act!!

photo credit: http://www.britannica.com/