Celebrate Black History Month with STEAM!

The month of February has brought us to Black History Month. We take this time to celebrate African American achievements. Join us in recognizing notable Black inventors, mathematicians and scientists with hands-on learning kits. These kits feature Lonnie Johnson, a NASA scientist and inventor of the Super Soaker, Katherine Johnson, a NASA Mathematician, and Joan Murrell Owens, a marine biologist known for her work on corals. The kits include an activity that is related to each person and will be available for pick up during the month of February at the Dundee Library Youth Services Desk and at the Randall Oaks Library, while supplies last. Check out the book suggestions listed below for more information.

Lonnie Johnson: NASA Scientist and Inventor of the Super Soaker  

Why is Lonnie Johnson important? He invented the Super Soaker! Readers follow his journey from a NASA engineer working on missions to Jupiter and Saturn to becoming the inventor of one of the most popular toys in the United States. This story of hard work is filled with engaging text and colorful images, all reviewed by Smithsonian experts.

One Step Further: My story of Math, the Moon and a Lifelong Mission 

NASA computer scientist Katherine Johnson and her two daughters tell the story of how she overcame racial barriers to play an integral role during the American space program's early days. 

Counting the Stars 

The story of Katherine Johnson, an African American mathematician whose work was critical to the first US space flight.

Counting on Katherine 

You've likely heard of the historic Apollo 13 mission. But do you know about the mathematical genius who made sure that Apollo 13 returned safely home? As a child, Katherine Johnson loved to count. She counted the steps on the road, the number of dishes and spoons she washed in the kitchen sink, everything! Boundless, curious, and excited by calculations, young Katherine longed to know as much as she could about math, about the universe. From Katherine's early beginnings as a gifted student to her heroic accomplishments as a prominent mathematician at NASA, this is the story of a groundbreaking American woman who not only calculated the course of moon landings but, in turn, saved lives and made enormous contributions to history.