When Jerry C. Elliott High Eagle was born in 1943 there were no astronauts or even artificial satellites in orbit, but at age five (9 years before Sputnik ushered in the space race), he dreamed of helping humanity walk on the moon. His dream had a mix of support from his tribal leaders and family.…
Category: STEM Like Me
Charles Henry Turner - STEM Like Me Story
Charles Henry Turner (1867-1923) was born in Cincinnati, OH to Thomas Turner, church custodian, and Addie Campbell, nurse. In a turbulent post-Reconstruction America, Cincinnati provided a safe community for black families to live, work, and learn. Turner was provided a decent education even graduating as valedictorian of his high school. He then attended the University…
J. Ernest Wilkins Stem Like Me Story
In Chicago, 1923, J. Ernest Wilkins Jr. was born to parents J. Earnest and Lucille B. Wilkins. Both of his parents were highly accomplished individuals in their own right. His father was an attorney who eventually became the first African American to serve in a sub-Cabinet position as assistant Secretary of Labor in the Eisenhower…
STEM Like Me Stories: Patricia Bath
Patricia Bath was born in 1942 in Harlem to Rubert and Gladys Bath. Both parents added wonder and support to Dr. Bath’s eventual success. According to Bath, “My father was a MacGyver type Dad with extraordinary mathematical skills and my Mom loved sewing and art. So, I and my brother Rupert got a STEAM head…
STEM Like Me Stories: Elijah McCoy
Elijah McCoy was born in 1844 (or 1843) a free man in Ontario, Canada to George and Mildred McCoy who escaped enslavement in Kentucky, USA by way of the Underground Railroad. Eventually, at the age of 11, he and his family moved back to the U.S. and settled in Michigan where his father became a…