November 17, 2006 Dear Librarian, Percy Julian Was One of the Most Accomplished Scientists of the 20Th Century. His Innovative R

Home , Ernest Everett Just, Percy Lavon Julian

November 17, 2006

Dear Librarian,

Produced for PBS by the Percy Julian was one of the most accomplished scientists of the 20th century. His WGBH Science Unit innovative research helped unlock the secret chemistry of plants and find treatments 125 Western Avenue Boston for the crippling effects of diseases like glaucoma and arthritis. Across the world Massachusetts today, millions of people still benefit from steroid medications based on the work 02134 Julian pioneered.

Telephone 617-300-4340 Although significant, these achievements shine even brighter in light of the daunting Fax 617-300-1003 series of lifelong racial obstacles Julian had to overcome to achieve international www.pbs.org/nova stature and become director of a major industrial research laboratory, a successful entrepreneur, and prominent human rights advocate. On February 6, 2007, NOVA’s Forgotten Genius uncovers the life and work of this remarkable and tenacious man who achieved success against tremendous odds.

With generous support from the National Science Foundation, we’ve produced this library resource kit to accompany the program. The kit, which has been reviewed by a national advisory board of public librarians, has been designed for libraries of all sizes and visitors of all ages. Use the display sheets to illuminate the contributions of scientists of color to our lives and times, or to explore the science of chemistry; conduct the activities to help children gain the sense of wonder Julian felt about the “natural laboratories” of plants; and engage visitors with handouts that offer doorways into Percy Julian’s life and the science that excited him.

We hope you will use this library kit to create programming that helps your community gain insight into Percy Julian’s life and how his science changed our world. We would love to hear how this kit works for you; please send your comments to [email protected]. Your feedback will help ensure that future projects like this one are interesting and useful to all librarians.

Paula S. Apsell NOVA Executive Producer Credits

The Forgotten Genius Library Resource Advisory Board Kit was produced by the Educational Maureen Ambrosino Outreach department of the WGBH Central MA Regional Library Educational Foundation. Shrewsbury, MA Director, Educational Outreach Mary Ann DeBruin Karen Barss Oak Park and River Forest High School Print Project Director Oak Park, IL Sonja Latimore Sue McCleaf Nespeca Associate Editor Kid Lit Plus Consulting Joan Pedersen Youngstown, OH

Writers Deb Robertson Bennett Singer Public Programs Office Joan Pedersen American Library Association Chris Randall Chicago, IL

Designers Lisa Sheffield Gaye Korbet Transylvania County Library Tyler Kemp-Benedict Brevard, NC

Photo Researcher Beth Wright Debby Paddock Fletcher Free Library Burlington, VT Illustrator Tim Jones

Print Production Lenore Gibson

Funding for NOVA is provided by the Howard The NOVA television series is produced by WGBH Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Boston, which is solely responsible for its content, and Broadcasting, and public television viewers. distributed by the Public Broadcasting Service.

©2006 WGBH Educational Foundation All illustrations © 2006 WGBH. Photo credit: AP Images. Major funding for Forgotten Genius is provided by NOVA is a trademark and service mark of the WGBH the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, the National Science Educational Foundation. Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Humanities, with additional funding provided by The Permission is granted for reproduction of this printed Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation, the American material by schools and libraries for educational use Chemical Society, American Playhouse, and Mr. and only. All other rights reserved. Other than as discussed Mrs. William G. Brown. This material is based upon above, no part of the Forgotten Genius Library Resource work supported by the National Science Foundation Kit may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or under Grant No. 9901978. Any opinions, findings, and transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily without the prior written permission of the WGBH reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. Educational Foundation, 125 Western Avenue, Boston, MA 02134. NOVA is closed captioned and described by the Media Access Group at WGBH for viewers who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, or visually impaired. The descriptive narration is available on the second audio program (SAP) channel of stereo TVs and VCRs. F O RGOTT E N G E N I US A i r i ng on p b S F e b r uary 6, 2007

Using This Library Resource Kit Welcome to NOVA’s Forgotten Contents Genius Library Resource Kit. This kit accompanies NOVA’s two-hour Who Was Percy Julian? Social Studies Activities program about Percy Julian, the Use this handout to help your patrons • Who Am I? trailblazing scientist who overcame discover more about the life of Percy (ages 9 and older) racial discrimination to emerge as Julian. • Find Percy Julian one of the most influential scientists (ages 10 and older) Program Ideas and Tips of the 20th century. Forgotten Genius • The Innovators Gallery Find ideas to help you incorporate airs February 6, 2007, at 8 pm. (Check (ages 12 and older) NOVA’s Forgotten Genius into local listings as dates and times may • Answer Sheet for “Who Am I?” your event and program schedule vary.) We hope you will use this kit and “Find Percy Julian” and tips for how you can partner to create displays, conduct science and with organizations to interest your Science Activities social studies activities, create library audiences in Percy Julian, other • Ready, Set, Sort! programs, and plan community scientists and notable African (ages 4 and older) events to help engage your audiences Americans, and the fight for equality. • Soggy Science, Shaken Beans in the excitement and discovery of This section includes: (ages 5 and older) science and social studies. • Programs and Events • Seeing Is Believing • Activities Using Library Resources (ages 7 and older) • Library Display Ideas • Unmix It Up (ages 8 and older) Bibliography • Changing States Use the resources listed in the (ages 12 and older) Bibliography to create displays and • Percy Julian and His Work activities, or to help patrons learn (coloring sheet) more about Julian. The Bibliography (ages 3 and older) includes resources for: • Percy Julian’s Life and Work Display Sheets • Breakthroughs in Chemistry Use the following display sheets • Civil Rights Milestones to create or supplement an exhibit • Scientists of Color on Julian. • Natural vs. Synthetic Percy Julian Activities • Plant Medicines Use these science and social studies • Chemistry and Stuff around Us Copy Our Handouts! activities with programs you host • I’m a Chemist Please feel free to copy any of at your library or copy them to • African American Scientists the handouts in this kit. We have distribute to patrons. designed them to be reproducible. Find downloadable PDF color versions of all the pages in this kit at www.pbs.org/nova/julian Online Science Lesson pbs.org/nova/teachers Provide local teachers with a classroom activity that explores chemistry. The activity will be available in January 2007 on the NOVA Teachers site, listed in the section “Teacher’s Guide by Program Title” under Forgotten Genius. For grades 6–8 and 9–12. Available in html and PDF formats.

www. p b s .o rg / nova / ju li a n ©2006 WGBH Educational Foundation. All rights reserved. Permission is granted for reproduction of this printed material for educational use only. F O RGOTT E N G E N I US A i r i ng on p b S F e b r uary 6, 2007

Percy Julian’s Life 1899 Born in Montgomery, Alabama Who Was Percy Julian? on April 11. 1920 Graduates first in his class from Dr. Percy Lavon Julian was a trailblazing chemist DePauw University with a bachelor’s whose discoveries improved and saved countless lives. degree in chemistry. The grandson of slaves, Julian grew up at a time when 1923 Earns master’s degree in chemistry African Americans faced extraordinary obstacles. Yet from Harvard University. 1928 Heads chemistry department at Julian refused to let racism prevent him from becoming Howard University. one of the most influential scientists of the 20th century, 1931 Awarded Ph.D. from the University as well as a leader in business and civil rights. of Vienna, where he begins his work with plant compounds. Julian was born in Montgomery, Alabama, on April 11, 1932 Returns to teach at DePauw University. 1899. He attended a segregated elementary school. And, 1935 Succeeds in producing synthetic physostigmine, which leads to a because Montgomery had no public high school for African Americans, he was glaucoma drug. Marries Anna Johnson, forced to attend a teacher training school. the first African American woman to earn a Ph.D. in sociology in the U.S. In 1916, Julian entered DePauw University, a largely white liberal arts school in 1936 Begins working at the Glidden Company. Indiana. Despite the many struggles Julian faced, he not only earned a bachelor’s 1939 Succeeds in producing progesterone degree in chemistry, he graduated Phi Beta Kappa and first in his class. on an industrial scale. 1940 Son Percy Jr. is born. Julian was the first African American to earn a master’s degree in chemistry 1942 Extracts a soybean protein that leads to the development of a fire-retardant from Harvard University. Julian eventually became head of the chemistry foam that saves thousands of soldiers’ department at Howard University, a leading African American institution. lives in World War II. Determined to continue his education, Julian enrolled in the University of 1944 Daughter Faith is born. Vienna, where he earned a Ph.D. in chemistry—the fourth African American 1947 Receives the Spingarn Medal from the National Association for the to achieve this distinction. It was in Vienna that he began his lifelong inquiry Advancement of Colored People. into the chemistry of plants. 1949 Synthesizes Compound S, a major ingredient in low-cost cortisone. Returning to DePauw University, Julian became an expert in synthesis, the 1950 Named Chicagoan of the Year. process of turning one substance into another through planned chemical 1951 Moves to Oak Park, Illinois, where his reactions. In 1935, Julian and Josef Pikl synthesized physostigmine—still used family’s home is firebombed. to treat glaucoma—found in Calabar beans. The American Chemical Society 1953 Founds Julian Laboratories. 1961 Sells the company for $2.3 million. later recognized their work as a National Chemical Landmark—one of the top 1960s and 1970s Works with civil rights 25 accomplishments in American chemical history. Despite this achievement, groups to fight discrimination. DePauw refused to appoint Julian to a permanent faculty position. 1973 Elected to the National Academy of Sciences. Discrimination led Julian from academia to business. For over 18 years, his 1975 Dies on April 19. highly successful research for the Glidden Company uncovered new uses 1993 U.S. Postal Service issues stamp in his honor. for chemicals from soybeans. Julian’s work was not only enormously profitable, but it helped relieve human suffering across the globe. He extracted a soy protein used in fire-fighting foam, which saved thousands of lives during World War II. Tune In His process for isolating steroids from soybean oil led to the manufacture of synthetic hormones. He also played a key role in making synthetic cortisone Percy Julian overcame racial affordable to millions of arthritis sufferers. discrimination to emerge as one of the most influential scientists In 1953, Julian established Julian Laboratories to produce synthetic steroids. of the 20th century. Find out more He became a millionaire when he sold it in 1961. By the 1970s, Julian was widely in NOVA’s Forgotten Genius. The recognized as an innovator who made medicines more affordable. For his two-hour program premieres on contributions to humanity and civil rights, Julian received 18 honorary degrees PBS February 6, 2007. (Check local and more than a dozen civic and scientific awards; he was the second African listings.) Visit the companion Web American elected to the National Academy of Sciences and the first chemist. site at www.pbs.org/nova/julian Percy Julian died of liver cancer in 1975, at the age of 76.

For a more expanded version of Percy Julian’s biography, go to: www.pbs.org/nova/julian

Program Ideas and Tips Programs and Events

Adults • invite a guest speaker to deliver a lecture or slide show. Topics to consider include Percy Julian’s life and work; breakthroughs in chemistry and the resulting impact on society; contributions of scientists of color and/or female scientists; discrimination in education, housing, sports, science, or other arenas and the ways in which activists have challenged such bigotry; and life during the Jim Crow era in the South, the North, and in your community. Contact a local university for presenters. Distribute copies of the “Who Was Percy Julian?” handout, if applicable. • Show videos about famous scientists and/or civil rights leaders. After each, have a facilitator lead a follow-up discussion to explore the person’s life “What marvelous laboratories and work, the impact of the scientific innovations, or ongoing challenges to plants are. You can’t imagine the achieving full equality. joy it’s given me to work with the natural laboratories Young Adults over the years.” • Hold a science essay contest. Invite young adults to submit essays of up to —Percy Julian 500 words on “How have scientific advances improved your life?” Work with a local science teacher to develop judging criteria. Award prizes and see if your local newspapers will publish the winning entry. Display the essays in the library. • Sponsor a “What Do Chemists Do?” program. Ask a local teacher to General Tips bring in chemistry equipment (vials, beakers, burners, etc.) for display. Talk • Contact the outreach about scientific method and related books and resources in the library. Do the coordinator at your local PBS “Changing States” science activity provided in this kit. Make it a multi-week affiliate to help plan and program: add the “Seeing Is Believing” activity and science activities in this promote your events. kit or from the resources in the Bibliography. • Offer materials on your library • Host a Jeopardy-style game. Work with representatives from a local Web site. Link to online university’s chemistry and history departments to create questions downloadable versions of highlighting scientific advances made by Percy Julian, scientists from other the handouts included in this kit. Augment these resources fields, and civil rights activists. Award small prizes. with a calendar of events and programs or related books. Children • Create and distribute posters • Organize a storytime, video presentation, or Family Science Fun Night. and fliers announcing your Present an age-appropriate book or video about a famous scientist or civil event or program. rights leader (see the Bibliography for suggestions). Then do some of the fun • Send event information science activities in this kit. to media outlets, such as • conduct a science activity. Use an age-appropriate activity from this kit newspapers, science center to introduce children to some of the scientific advances made by Percy Julian. and club newsletters, and local Recruit high school students or science club members to help. radio and television stations. Supply the information to • create a picture board. Read a book on Percy Julian or another notable community, city, and school scientist of color, have children work in groups to create a series of drawings Web sites in your area. or a mural illustrating the person’s life. (Younger children can color the “Percy Julian and His Work” coloring sheet in this kit.) Display the artwork. • Sponsor a scavenger hunt. Use the “Find Percy Julian” handout to introduce families to Percy Julian’s life and work. Award small prizes for each completed scavenger hunt.

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Activities Using Libr ary Resources

Adults • arrange a rare book room tour. Arrange a guided tour for patrons of texts and artifacts related to science or civil rights. • create bookmarks. Create a series of reproducible bookmarks to highlight your library’s resources on scientists of color and/or civil rights activists. Type your resource information on the bookmarks, copy, and distribute. • Highlight original documents. Plan a discussion about advances in science or the struggle for equal rights. Use copies of primary and secondary source materials related to the topic, then provide guidance on how and where “The story I will tell you tonight is a story of wonder and patrons can locate these materials in the library. Resources to highlight amazement, almost a story include online databases, newspapers, journals, and reference works. of miracles. It is the story of Young Adults laughter and tears. It is a story of human beings, therefore, a • Sponsor a song-writing contest. Have young adults research a local or story of meanness, of stupidity, national civil rights leader and create a song—rap, ballad, rock—about that of kindness and nobility.” person. Host a public performance of the winning songs at the library. —Percy Julian • Hold an innovators gallery competition. Prepare a list of call numbers or keyword search terms related to innovators in science, civil rights, and other areas. Ask young adults to complete “The Innovators Gallery” handout, explaining that the stamp designs and profiles they create will be entered into a contest. Display their creations on a bulletin board and invite patrons to vote for their choice of top innovator. Award a prize for the winning profile(s). Contest Incentives Children Think about offering incentives for • create resource posters or bookmarks. Identify the location of resources contests and other events. Incentives might include tickets to a local in the children’s area related to civil rights and its leaders, notable scientists, museum or science center, books and the importance of science in our daily lives. Then have children create and or videos on Percy Julian or related hang posters or bookmarks to mark the locations. topics, math games or manipulatives, • play the “Who Am I?” game. Distribute the “Who Am I?” handout, which construction toys, or science project asks kids to match each profile to the corresponding scientist. supplies. Contact local retailers such as • Host a word hunt. Give children a list of science terms commonly used in hobby and craft stores, toy stores, and bookstores for possible donations. chemistry (such as experiment, laboratory, data, and chemical) or associated with the Civil Rights movement (such as Jim Crow, segregation, discrimination, and nonviolence). Ask them to use library resources to find the meaning of each term. Provide a small prize to each child who completes the task. • make molecules. Show some images of molecules to children, then provide marshmallows, wooden craft sticks, and other materials for them to construct their own unique molecules.

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“For the first time in my life, I represent a creating, alive, Libr ary and wide-awake chemist.” —Percy Julian Displ ay Ideas

Percy Julian’s Life and Work • books and videos on Percy Julian. Display one or more photographs of Percy Julian (also the poster in this kit), selected books and videos (see the Bibliography for suggestions), and some of the activity handouts and display sheets in this kit.

Breakthroughs in Chemistry Display Tips • chemistry’s benefits. Create a wall or table display highlighting inventions or discoveries by chemists. Some chemists to consider include Rosalind • Use copies of the Bibliography, activities, and display sheets Franklin (DNA), Leo Baekeland (plastic), Marie Curie (radium), and Percy provided in this kit to enhance Julian (plant chemistry). Include selected books and videos about chemistry, your displays. and display sheets from this kit. • When creating display titles, use • Science activities. Showcase one of the science activities in this kit along a few short words in large type with selected books. Have copies of the activity handout available for size along with alliterative phrases distribution. to grab patrons’ attention (for • Science fair projects. Display selected science fair projects created by example, “Contributions to students. You might want to display a series of projects so that students at Chemistry” or “Julian’s Genius”). • Use fabric instead of paper for different schools in your area can see their work highlighted. Contact local bulletin board backgrounds—it lasts science curriculum coordinators and homeschool groups for referrals. longer and is easy to reuse. • a new generation of scientists. Invite local colleges and universities • Cover tables with cloth or plastic to contribute materials (such as academic and extracurricular program tablecloths. Place one or more small information, career information, etc.) for a display on opportunities for boxes or stands on a table to create students to study science in your city or state. (You may want to use the “I’m a risers. Highlight one book or display Chemist” display sheet.) item on each riser to create an appealing table display. Civil Rights Milestones • To create a poster-size picture for • The long road to equality. Select and display titles and resources based on display, photocopy a copyright-free image on a transparency, then use a theme, such as young people and the Civil Rights movement, pivotal court an overhead projector to magnify cases, or the history of school desegregation in the United States. it onto a large piece of paper • local civil rights events and activists. Create a display on local events with taped to a wall. Trace the outline historical significance and heroes. You might want to weave these events into of the image and then color it in a national civil rights time line (see books and resources under “Civil Rights to make the poster. You may want Milestones” in the Bibliography, including Civil Rights: A Chronology at to laminate or cover it with clear www.civilrights.org/library/permanent_collection/resources/crchron.html contact paper. • Borrow beakers, test tubes, and Pioneering Scientists of Color other science equipment from a • Scientists who made a difference. Create a wall or table book display local school or university to enhance the display. highlighting scientists of color. Use the enclosed “African American Scientists” display sheet and books in the Bibliography for other scientists. Consider featuring scientists from your area. • Did You Know? Create a display featuring artifacts from the work of scientists of color that answer the question “Did You Know?” Artifacts can include pictures of their inventions or the actual invention (e.g., empty pill bottle). See the “Who Am I?” handout, the “African American Scientists” display sheet, and the Bibliography for suggested scientists.

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Bibliography

This bibliography contains resources Percy Julian’s Life Biographical Sketches about Percy Julian, breakthroughs and Work “Percy L. Julian’s Fight for His Life,” in chemistry, the Jim Crow era Ebony, March 1975 Books and milestones in the Civil Rights “The House that Joyce Built,” Black Pioneers of Science movement, and notable scientists Fortune, May 1949 of color. and Invention by Louis Haber. “The Man Who Wouldn’t Give Up,” Harcourt, Odyssey Classics, 1992. Reader’s Digest, August 1946 Chronicles the lives of 14 African Videos & DVDs Americans, including Percy Julian, “Every penny my father Benjamin Banneker, and George NOVA: Forgotten Genius could scrape together went Portrays the life of Percy Julian— into building a wonderful Washington Carver, who made chemist, humanist, and business leader. library for his children. For significant contributions to science and Ya A the public library was closed industry. C Ya to us. My father created, in Tracing the Path: African American Distinguished African American Contributions to Chemistry in the my imagination, brave new Scientists of the 20th Century worlds to conquer.” by James Kessler et al. Life Sciences American Chemical Society, 1994. —Percy Julian Oryx Press, 1996. Examines scientific contributions to Profiles 100 African American scientists the field of chemistry by precolonial and mathematicians. Ya Africans, African Americans during the Great Black Heroes: Five Brilliant 1800s and 1900s, and contemporary Scientists African Americans. (Available at many by Lynda Jones and Ron Garrett (illustrator). public libraries.) Ya Scholastic, Cartwheel Books, 2000. Describes the early lives and key achievements of Percy Julian and four other scientists. C

Outward Dreams: Black Inventors and Their Inventions by Jim Haskins. Walker, 1991. Presents biographical profiles of Percy Julian and other notable African American inventors. C Ya

The Hidden Contributors: Black Scientists and Inventors in America by Aaron E. Klein. Doubleday, 1971. Provides an overview of the Key achievements of African American inventors, including Percy Julian. C = Children Ya A Ya = Young Adult A = Adult

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Web Sites Portrait Gallery: Percy Julian “The only thing that enabled NOVA: Forgotten Genius www.lewiston.k12.me.us/ me to keep doing the www.pbs.org/nova/julian ~lewschdept/projects/gallery/ pjulian.htm creative work was the Companion Web site to the constant determination: Describes Julian’s life and achievements documentary Forgotten Genius Take heart! Go for young readers. C includes articles, interviews, interactive farther on!” activities, teacher lesson plans, and Science Alive! The Life and Science —Percy Julian other resources relating to Percy Julian. of Percy Julian Ya A www.chemheritage.org/scialive/ julian African American History Vignette— The Chemical Heritage Foundation Percy Julian offers a comprehensive and interactive http://faculty.washington.edu/ examination of Julian’s life and career, qtaylor/aa_Vignettes/ julian_percy.htm with rich material on his childhood, Presents a summary of Percy Julian’s college years, scientific discoveries, and life, along with profiles of numerous civil rights work. Includes illuminating other prominent figures in African pictures, activities, readings, a time American history. Also contains a line, and a comprehensive teacher’s comprehensive listing of Web sites guide. Ya A on African American history. Ya A Breakthroughs National Academy of Sciences, in Chemistry Biographical Memoirs—Percy Lavon Julian Books www.nap.edu/html/biomems/ 190 Ready-to-Use Activities that pjulian.html Make Science Fun Provides a sketch of Julian, including by George Watson. an impressive listing of the awards and Jossey-Bass, 2003. honors he garnered during his lifetime, Offers chemistry activities related as well as a bibliography to atoms and elements for students of his scientific writings.A of varying ability levels. Ya A People and Discoveries, Percy Julian A to Z of Chemists www.pbs.org/wgbh/aso/ by Elizabeth H. Oakes. databank/entries/bmjuli.html Facts on File, 2002. Discusses the life of Percy Julian. Ya A Tells the stories of 150 historical and contemporary chemists. Ya A Percy Lavon Julian: Life and Legacy www.chem.temple.edu/main/ Chemical Achievers: The Human faculty/williams/percy%20Lavon% Face of the Chemical Sciences 20Julian%201.htm by Mary Ellen Bowden. Highlights Percy Julian’s life and work. Chemical Heritage Foundation, 1997. Ya A Provides teachers with photos and biographies of 80 chemists, many of whom are people of color. A

Chemistry Connections: The Web Sites Chemical Basis of Everyday Chemistry Fun & Humor Phenomena http://chemistry.about.com/od/ by Kerry K. Karukstis and Gerald R. chemistryfunhumor Van Hecke. Takes a humorous look at chemistry. Elsevier Science & Technology, 2003. Ya A Presents a broad range of explanations of chemical processes. Ya A Chemistry.org: Educators & Students www.chemistry.org/portal/a/c/s/1/ The Joy of Chemistry: The educatorsandstudents.html Amazing Science of Familiar Features an extensive array of activities, Things readings, and resources for educators by Cathy Cobb. Prometheus Books, 2005. and students from kindergarten C Ya A Includes science and history, and through college. connects chemistry to the real world. General Chemistry Online! “It was this little accidental Ya A http://antoine.frostburg.edu/ discovery—the kind that chem/senese/101/index.shtml The Magic School Bus Gets Baked Provides a thorough overview of characterizes the develop- in a Cake: A Book about Kitchen chemistry basics in an accessible ment of science so often— Chemistry that led to a practical by Joanna Cole. format. Ya A method for the Scholastic, 1995. NOVA Teachers isolation of steroids Uses kitchen-based experiments to www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/ from soybean oil.” introduce children to the principles teachers/resources/subj_02_ —Percy Julian of chemistry. C 05.html Lists NOVA sites that include chemistry Videos & DVDs topics and related lessons. Ya A People Who Took Chemistry, That’s Who! American Chemical Society, 1998. Civil Rights Introduces high school students to the Milestones chemistry involved in our everyday lives Books by showing how recyclable soda bottles, At Canaan’s Edge: America in the compact discs, and antiperspirants are King Years, 1965–68 produced. Ya by Taylor Branch. Simon & Schuster, 2006. Squibs Disc 5—In Matter: Atoms, Elements, & Chemistry Chronicles Martin Luther King Jr.’s life Ignite! Learning, 2005. and work. Ya A

Uses animation to introduce young Pillar of Fire: America in the King people to key concepts in chemistry, Years 1963–65 including the periodic table and by Taylor Branch. chemical reactions. C Simon & Schuster, 2006. Looks at America during the King years. Ya A

Parting the Waters: America in the Web Sites “In much of my life I’ve had to King Years 1954–63 Civil Rights: A Chronology by Taylor Branch. pick up the broken fragments www.civilrights.org/library/ Simon & Schuster, 2006. of chance and turn them into permanent_collection/resources/ opportunity.” Presents a Pulitzer Prize-winning crchron.html —Percy Julian account of the Civil Rights movement, Provides a chronology of the Civil with a focus on the emergence of Martin Rights movement. Ya A Luther King Jr. as a national leader. KIDS Report: Civil Rights Ya A www.madison.k12.wi.us/tnl/ The Civil Rights Movement for detectives/kids/KIDS-000314.html Kids: A History with 21 Activities Created by kids for kids, this site by Mary C. Truck. contains an extensive collection of Chicago Review Press, 2000. annotated links to civil rights resources Introduces children to the historic online. C Ya movement for equality in the U.S. C The History of Jim Crow The Strange Career of Jim Crow www.jimcrowhistory.org/ by C. Vann Woodward. Examines racial segregation and Oxford University Press, 1974. offers multiple teaching resources to Traces the history of racial segregation accompany the four-part PBS series on in the U.S. A Jim Crow. A

Videos & DVDs Scientists of Color Eyes on the Prize Books Blackside, 1987 and 1990. Immerses viewers in the events, Asian-American Scientists by Lisa Yount. triumphs, and tragedies of ordinary Facts on File, 1998. people who fought for civil rights in Profiles 12 Asian American the U.S. Consists of 14 hour-long scientists who have made important documentaries. Ya A contributions to science. C Ya Martin Luther King, Jr.—Great Black Stars: African American Americans for Children Series Women Scientists and Inventors Schlessinger Media, 2003. by Otha Richard Sullivan. Profiles King’s life and achievements. C Wiley, Jossey-Bass, 2001. The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow Describes the lives of 30 little-known PBS Video, 2002. African American women who made Four-part series that chronicles the contributions to our culture over the history of racial segregation in the last 300 years. C South and North. Ya A Created Equal: The Lives and Ideas of Black American Innovators by James Brodie. HarperCollins, Quill Books, 1994. Documents the lives of more than 60 African American inventors, from slavery to the present. Ya A

George Washington Carver: Web Sites Julian’s family Scientist and Inventor A Conversation with Neil deGrasse strived for by Barbara Kramer. Tyson educational excellence and Enslow Publishers, 2002. www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/origins/ achievement. Two of his Profiles the agriculturist and public tyson.html brothers became doctors, speaker who started life as a slave. C Includes an interview with Dr. Tyson and three of his sisters in which he discusses discoveries in Lost Talent: The Underparticipa- earned master’s degrees. tion of Women, Minorities, and origins research. Ya A Disabled Persons in Science African American Heritage Sites by Jeannie Oaks. for Kids Rand, 1990. www.chipublib.org/003cpl/ Reports on opportunities for, and afroamj.html participation of, women, people Provides numerous links to sites of color, and disabled persons in the covering African American history, art, sciences. A science, and culture. C Ya A Videos & DVDs Biography Project Breakthrough: The Changing Face www.sacnas.org/biography/ of Science in America PBS Video, 1996. Presents profiles of Chicano/Latino Chronicles the scientific contributions and Native American scientists, made by people of color. Ya A mathematicians, and engineers. Ya A

From Dreams to Reality: A Tribute Profile: James McLurkin www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/ to Minority Inventors U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, sciencenow/3204/03.html 1986. Profiles James McLurkin, a designer Highlights the myriad achievements of robot swarms, or robot groups, that of people of color to American science, work together to perform a task. Ya A technology, and medicine. Ya A Society for Advancement of Chicanos Inventing the Future: African and Native Americans in Science American Contributions to Biography Project Scientific Discovery and Invention http://64.171.10.183/biography/ American Chemical Society, 1994. default.asp Profiles selected African Americans who Features biographies of Chicano/Latino have contributed to scientific discovery and Native American scientists; a in the United States from colonial days resource for K–12 educators. A to the present. C Ya

Who Am I?

Ages 9 and older. was the first woman of color sent into space. After studying chemical engineering Many important scientists are I in college, I became a doctor. On the space unfamiliar to us, even though their shuttle, I conducted many experiments in achievements are amazing. In this space. In 1994, I started a science camp called activity, you will learn about several The Earth We Share, for kids ages 12 to 16. lesser-known scientists of color It brings young people together “to come up who have made major contributions with solutions to real-world global dilemmas.” to their fields. Working on your own What was the name the space shuttle I or with a partner, use resources at traveled in and what year was it? your library—books, encyclopedias, or the Internet—to match three of Scientist 1: the names on the list below to their descriptions. Then see if you can Answer to Question: answer the question about each scientist. (Your librarian has the was born in Mexico City, which is one answer sheet.) I of the most polluted cities in the world. I Scientists became a chemist and have spent a lot of time studying the ways that chemicals affect the • St. Elmo Brady environment. My work focuses on the impact • Shirley Ann Jackson that chemicals have on the ozone layer, which • Mario Molina protects the Earth from harmful radiation. In • Mae Jemison 1995, I won a major international prize for my • Percy Julian research. What was this prize? • Ellen Ochoa

Scientist 2:

Answer to Question:

Learning More Black Pioneers of Science and Invention by Louis Haber. Harcourt, Odyssey Classics, 1992. Chronicles the lives of 14 African was born in Alabama, and I went to a segregated elementary school. Though Americans, including Percy Julian, I some people tried to prevent me from becoming a scientist, I followed my Benjamin Banneker, and George dream and eventually earned an advanced degree in chemistry. My research Washington Carver, who made significant led to a drug that helped millions of people suffering from arthritis. For many contributions to science and industry. years, I did research on one particular plant and discovered ways to use parts of this plant to help make paint, a soy-based coating for paper, and foam for Celebrating Black History and the Accomplishments of African-American fire extinguishers. What was the plant that I focused on in my research? Women Scientists www.chemistry.org/portal/a/c/s/1/ Scientist 3: feature_acs.html?id=c373e901dc6f1 13b8f6a17245d830100 Answer to Question: Profiles an African American astronaut, a meteorologist, and an inventor.

Find Percy Julian

Ages 10 and older. b. Julian found a way to synthesize Learning More (make in the lab) a chemical This scavenger hunt is made up Great Black Heroes: Five Brilliant found in soybeans. This Scientists of questions about the pioneering chemical (Compound S) was the by Lynda Jones and Ron Garnett chemist Percy Julian. To answer basis for a synthetic version (illustrator). these questions, you’ll need to use Scholastic, Cartwheel Books, 2000. of a drug used to treat millions library resources (books, magazines, Describes the early lives and key of arthritis sufferers. What reference materials, and the Internet). achievements of Percy Julian and four is the name of this drug? There is no time limit; working other scientists. by yourself, with a partner, or with c. What civic honor was Science Alive! The Life and Science members of your family, take as long bestowed upon Julian in 1950? of Percy Julian as you need to track down responses www.chemheritage.org/scialive/ to each set of questions. When you’re julian 4. Standing for Justice done, ask your librarian to check Offers a comprehensive and interactive a. How did Julian respond when your answers. There’s a small prize look at Julian’s life and career, with rich racists firebombed his family’s for a completed questionnaire. Enjoy material on his childhood, college years, house in Oak Park, Illinois? the search! scientific discoveries, and civil rights work. Includes illuminating pictures, b. What civil rights group gave 1. Percy Julian’s Childhood activities, readings, a time line, and a Julian a major award in 1947? a. In what city did Julian live as a comprehensive teacher’s guide. boy? c. In what year did the U.S. b. When was he born? Postal Service issue a stamp in honor of Julian? c. What are the names of his parents? 5. Scientists of Color Today and Percy Julian paved the way for 2. Percy Julian’s Education countless other people of color a. What university did Julian get to enter the sciences. Locate a his bachelor’s degree from? biography of another scientist of color and skim the introduction. b. What university did Julian Scientist’s name: get his master’s degree from?

What is the focus of this scientist’s c. In what city did he earn his Ph.D.? work?

3. Scientific Breakthroughs a. Julian discovered a soy protein

which was used to create a 6. Which library resources did you fire-fighting substance during use to find your information? World War II. What was the name of that substance?

The Innovators Gallery

Ages 12 and older. In 1993, the U.S. Postal Service issued a stamp in Percy Julian’s honor. What other pioneers or innovators deserve to be featured on a stamp? Do some research and come up with a suggestion of your own, or choose an innovator from the list on this page. Once you’ve made your choice, conduct research at your library to learn more about this person. Then use the space below, design your stamp, and write a short essay on why your subject deserves to be commemorated. Your entry will be displayed in “The Innovators Gallery” at the library so that library patrons can vote to determine which proposed stamp(s) is the most popular in your community. So put your artistic ability to work!

Innovators • St. Elmo Brady • Sabrina Kay • Chief Red Cloud • Amelia Earhart • Lewis Latimer • Jackie Robinson • Jane Goodall • Antonia Novello • Tamara Ulibarri • Meredith Gourdine • Ellen Ochoa • Jerry Yang (engineer) • Mae Jemison • Rosa Parks

My Innovator’s Name:

Learning More Dear Mrs. Parks: A Dialogue with Today’s Youth by Rosa Parks and Gregory J. Reed. Lee & Low Books, 1997. Includes questions to Mrs. Parks from young people and her responses. Biography Project www.sacnas.org/biography/ Presents profiles of Chicano/Latino and Native American scientists, mathematicians, and engineers.

Learn about some of the other scientists who have been featured on stamps at: www.usps.com/ communications/news/ stamps/2005/sr05_024.htm

Answer Sheet

Who Am I? Activit y Find Percy Julian Activit y 1. Percy Julian’s Childhood a. Montgomery b. April 11, 1899 c. James and Elizabeth 2. Percy Julian’s Education a. DePauw University b. Harvard University c. Vienna 3. Scientific Breakthroughs Scientist 1: Mae Jemison; Scientist 2: Mario Molina; a. Aer-o-foam the space shuttle Endeavour was Dr. Molina received the Nobel Prize b. cortisone launched in 1992. in Chemistry. c. Chicagoan of the Year 4. Standing for Justice a. He refused to move from Oak Park or to be intimidated. b. National Association for the Advancement of Colored People c. 1993 5. Scientists of Color Today Answers will vary. 6. Which library resources did you use to find your information? Resources will vary. Scientist 3: Percy Julian; the plant that Dr. Julian focused on was the soybean. Soybeans Today, 3 billion bushels of soybeans are grown each year in the United States. Soy products are used in virtually every American industry, from medicine to plastics.

Ready, Set, Sort!

Ages 4 and older. What to do Learning More Have you ever picked your favorite 1. Gently pour your beans onto the Science Play by Jill Frankel Hauser and Michael P. colors from a bag of jelly beans? If sheet of paper. Kline (illustrator). 2. Look at your beans. Are they you did, you were separating the jelly Williamson Publishing, 1998. all the same? Are some different beans by color or by the flavor you Contains a variety of science activities from others? like most. A scientist named Percy for children two to six years old. Julian separated parts of seeds to get 3. Think of different ways to sort what he needed to make medicines (separate) the beans (for example, Super Science Concoctions: 50 Mysterious Mixtures for and other products. by color, size, what else?). Fabulous Fun 4. Separate your beans based on your by Jill Frankel Hauser and Michael P. You will need rule. Don’t tell others your rule. Kline (illustrator). • bag of mixed beans (pinto, kidney, 5. Take turns guessing each other’s Williamson Publishing, 1997. black, lima or any 4 types of beans separating rule. Includes science experiments that that look different from each other) 6. Were the rules all the same? Why introduce chemistry to young children. do you think some rules were • sheet of white paper Chem.Org/Kids different? (Often a group of objects www.chemistry.org/portal/a/c/s/1/ that are different from each other acsdisplay.html?DOC=kids/index. can be separated in many ways. html Beans can be separated by color, size, Features chemistry activities for young and shape.) children. Curious George pbskids.org/curiousgeorge/ parentsteachers/activities/disc_ guide.html Includes a grouping activity called Sort It Out.

Percy Julian and Separation Percy Julian was a chemist, and separating materials is an important part of chemistry. Julian separated out some of the parts that make up soybeans. These parts were then used to make medicines and other products, such as foam to put out fires.

Soggy Science, Shaken Beans

Ages 5 and older. What to do Learning More

Have you ever heard of soy sauce, soy Part 1 Field of Beans Use a magnifying glass. by Soni Ware. milk, or tofu? Soybeans are plants Berry Books, 1999. 1. Look closely at the dry soybeans. used to make these foods. Soybeans Describes various uses for soybeans and What do they look like? What color can be many different colors (black, includes an activity. brown, gray, and yellow). Soybeans are they? What do they feel like? are nutritious, so people and some Are they all the same size? One Bean by Anne Rockwell and Megan Halsey animals use them as food. They are 2. Next, look at a soybean that has (Illustrator). been soaked in water for 2 or 3 even used to make some kinds of Walker, 1998. days. How has the water changed crayons. Percy Julian used soybeans Describes how a bean sprouts and the soybean? Peel the covering. to make medicines, special paints, includes three bean activities. and other items. In this activity, This is the seed coat. Why do you North Carolina Soybean Producers you will observe and learn about think it is called a coat? Why do Association—Connections for Kids soybeans, then make a shaker that has you think the bean has a coat? http://www.ncsoy.org/kids.htm 3. Use your fingers to pry open the soybeans inside. Explains the history of soybeans and soybean to see the inside of it (an how soybeans are grown, used, and You will need adult may have to help you). What processed. Includes a word search, color is the inside? What does it • 1/2 cup dry soybeans soaked soybean quiz, and science experiments. overnight in water (purchase look like? What does it feel like? at Asian markets) Do you see something that looks • about 25 dry soybeans (in one like a baby plant?

of the 3-oz cups) embryo (baby plant) • empty paper towel or toilet paper cardboard tube • two 3-oz paper cups seed coat • magnifying glass • masking tape endosperm (food) • crayons or markers • optional: string, feathers, and glue Part 2 for decorating shaker 1. Make soybeans shakers. • Draw colorful designs or patterns on the tube. • Place the bottom of a cup into one Percy Julian and end of the tube (see picture). Soybeans • Tape the cup to the tube. Percy Julian was a teacher • Gently pour the dry soybeans into and a scientist. As a scientist, the tube. tape he separated chemicals from • Hold the tube so that the open soybeans that were eventually end faces up and the soybeans stay used to make many things cup inside the tube. such as medicines, foam to • Place the bottom of the second cup put out fires, paper coatings, and paints. into the open end of the tube, and tape this cup to the tube. 2. Shake away! toilet paper tube

Seeing Is Believing

Ages 7 and older. 3. Decide who will place the cups Extension: Try walking around the over his or her eyes first. Without table with only one eye covered by Have you ever walked in the dark and wearing the cups, walk with your the cup. Does it look or feel different? bumped into something? Some people partner around the table and back Note: This activity can be adapted for have an eye disease called glaucoma to your seat. younger kids using adults as the helper. that causes them to see only straight 4. Now, hold both cups up to your ahead. They can’t see what most eyes, placing the rim of the cups people see out of the corners of their around your eyes, so that you can Learning More eyes, so it’s sometimes difficult not see only through the holes in the Great Black Heroes: Five Brilliant to bump into things. In this activity, cups. With your partner as a guide, Scientists you will learn about how people by Linda Jones and Ron Garnett carefully walk around the table and with glaucoma see. Percy Julian (Illustrator). back to your seat. helped make an eye medicine for Scholastic, Cartwheel Books, 2000. people with glaucoma. Presents the life and work of Percy Lavon Julian, George Washington You will need Carver, Ernest Everett Just, Shirley Ann • two 3-oz opaque paper cups Jackson, and Susan McKinley Stewart. for each person The Magic School Bus Explores • sharpened pencil the Senses by Joanna Cole and Bruce Degen. Scholastic, 2001. Note: Only one pair of partners should Allows children to explore the senses be in motion at a time. by traveling in a school bus through an What to do 5. Switch roles so your partner does eye and ear. steps #3 and #4 above. 1. Find a partner. Read all of the Neuroscience for Kids: The Eye directions before you begin. Questions: http://staff.washington.edu/ chudler/bigeye.html 2. Turn your cups upside down. Use • What was it like wearing the cups your pencil to poke a hole in the over your eyes? Explains vision and has a diagram of the eye as well as a crossword puzzle middle of the bottom of each of • What was different about seeing the cups. Put the pencil all the way only through the center hole in and related games. through the hole and pull it out the the cups and not seeing out of the other side (see illustration). corner of your eyes? • What sort of activities might be more difficult for you to do if you Percy Julian couldn’t see out of the corner of and the Eye your eyes? Percy Julian became a • What did you do while wearing chemistry professor and the cups to keep from bumping a research scientist. He into things? succeeded in synthesizing a • Some people with glaucoma can drug named physostigmine see well after taking the eye (fie so STIG meen), which medicine Percy Julian helped is used to treat glaucoma, to discover. How might their a disease that can lead to lives change because of the eye blindness. medicine?

Unmix It Up

Ages 8 and older. 4. Add drops of water to the towel near, but not on, the line of the Percy Julian and Have you ever mixed different dots. Add one drop at a time and Chromatography colors together to make a new color? give the water time to slowly spread Chromatography (a technique for Percy Julian used through the towel. Do not add too separating complex mixtures) can chromatography to separate much water. molecules that were used be used to separate colors that have 5. Observe what happens to your to make medicines and been combined to make a single color. dots after 10 minutes. Notice other products. He taught In this activity, you will separate the that different colors form when his chemistry students how colors in marker ink. different inks run into one another. to set up and carry out chromatography You will need • What colors came out of different inks? experiments. • white paper towel • How many inks separated into • washable or water-based colored different colors? Which ones? markers (two or more brands; • Why do you think some colors pretested, if possible, to make did not separate out? Learning More sure the ink will separate in some • Which ink had the most colors? of the inks) Chemistry for Every Kid: 101 Easy • How do you know some of Experiments that Really Work • water the marker inks were made from by Janice Pratt VanCleave. • eye dropper or pipette more than one color of dye? Wiley, 1989. • newspaper or plastic (to absorb • Which marker color surprised Includes chemistry experiments excess water) you the most in terms of the for children in grades 3–8. What to do number of dyes used to make it? Janice VanCleave’s 201 Awesome, • What did you learn about Magical, Bizarre, & Incredible 1. Cover your work area with separating mixtures? Experiments newspaper to keep the area dry. by Janice Pratt VanCleave. 2. Make a large dot on the paper towel Extensions: Make a design with Wiley, 1994. with one of the markers. Keep the dots of ink clustered around the Includes chemistry, biology, earth marker on the towel for several middle of the paper towel. Then science, astronomy, and physics seconds to make sure your dot has add water to the middle of the activities to be carried out with parents, a lot of ink. design and watch what happens. guardians, or teachers. 3. Repeat on the same paper towel Try different brands of markers. American Library Association with different-colored markers Compare to see if all brands use Great Web Sites for Kids: Chemistry (same brand) until you have 5 to the same color combinations & Physics 10 dots in a line on the paper towel and which produces the most www.ala.org/gwstemplate.cfm? (see picture below). combinations. section=greatwebsites& template=/cfapps/gws/ displaysection.cfm&sec=29 Includes chemistry links for ages pre-K through adult.

Changing States

Ages 12 and older. What to do 8. Observe the changes that occur. Questions: Percy Julian was a professor and a Ask an adult to help you with this • What changes did you notice? chemist. He practiced chemistry activity. • How did the baking soda and helped make many different 1. Read all the instructions first. change? How did the vinegar medicines and household products. If possible, work with a partner change? Chemistry is sometimes called to make it easier to handle the • Did the temperature of the the science of change—chemists materials. liquid in the bag change? If so, watch how materials interact with 2. Put on your safety goggles. how? each other, and they observe how 3. Open the sandwich bag. Place it • What happened to the bag? Why molecules change with heat or in the cup and fold the open end do you think this happened? mixing. In this activity, you will of the bag over the top of the cup. 9. Percy Julian sometimes made observe changes in the materials that Pour the vinegar into the bag. new substances in the laboratory are mixed. 4. Put the baking soda in the bottle by mixing different chemicals. cap. Set it aside. You will need Did you end up with a different 5. Take the bag out of the cup, being substance than the ones you started • 1 resealable sandwich bag careful not to spill the vinegar. Feel with? Was this new substance a • 1 tsp baking soda the bottom of the bag and note the solid, a liquid, or a gas? • 2 tbsp vinegar temperature of the vinegar. • 1 plastic bottle cap Learning More • 8-oz paper cup The Science Discovery Book • safety goggles by Anthony D. Fredericks, Brad K. Cressman, and Robert Hassler. Scott Foresman, 1987. Discusses the scientific process and includes chemistry activities for students in grades 4–6. Percy Julian, Chemist The Science Explorer by Pat Murphy, Ellen Klages, Percy Julian earned his Linda Shore, and the staff of the Ph.D. in chemistry from Exploratorium; Jason Gorski 6. Use one hand to place and hold the the University of Vienna in (Illustrator). Austria in 1931. He worked bottle cap (and baking soda) inside Henry Holt, 1996. in chemistry laboratories the bag. Without dropping any Includes many hands-on science and was a careful observer baking soda into the vinegar, hold experiments, some related to chemistry. of change in the materials he the bag against your body and use Chemistry used. For example, he saw the other hand to carefully remove by Ann Newmark. changes in soybean oil when the air from the bag. Seal the bag. DK Children, 2005. water leaked into a tank. 7. Drop the bottle cap into the Considers the nature of chemistry and This observation helped vinegar. Gently move the bag to different types of chemical reactions. him discover an inexpensive mix the baking soda and vinegar. process for making Chemistry the hormone http://library.thinkquest.org/ progesterone. j001539 Provides chemistry information and experiments for children in grades 4–8.

P e rc y J u li a n Ac ti v iti e s www. p b s .o rg / nova / ju li a n ©2006 WGBH Educational Foundation. All rights reserved. Permission is granted for reproduction of this printed material for educational use only. F O RGOTT E N G E N I US A i r i ng on p b S F e b r uary 6, 2007 Percy Julian and His Work

P e rc y J u li a n Ac ti v iti e s www. p b s .o rg / nova / ju li a n ©2006 WGBH Educational Foundation. All rights reserved. Permission is granted for reproduction of this printed material for educational use only. F o rg oTTE N G E n i u s Natural vs. Synthetic Vitamin C tablets, the hair in a wig, and hormones for treating a condition or disease—does it matter if they are natural or synthetic? What exactly do those words mean?

How We Usually Think about Natural and Synthetic

When we hear something When we hear something described as “natural,” we described as “synthetic,” often think that it comes we often think that it is “not from nature (such as real” (or imitation) and that it is lemons) or is made from made by people in a laboratory or a substance that occurs in factory—not by nature. It may be nature (such as lemonade similar to the natural material, made from lemon juice). but not identical. For example, synthetic hair in a wig may look and feel like natural hair, but under a microscope, the two are not identical.

Percy Julian synthesized Natural and Synthetic in Chemistry physostigmine (fie so STIG meen), Natural hair and a wig are in the lab, making this not the same chemically, but glaucoma treatment the differences probably don’t readily available. He matter to a lot of people. assembled molecules that were exactly the same as the physostigmine found in Calabar beans. Like vitamin C, both versions of physostigmine have the same effect on the body because their chemical structures are Lemons are a source of vitamin C, but the same. vitamin C can also be synthesized in the lab. Synthesized vitamin C has the same molecular structure as the vitamin C in a lemon. Both have the same exact effect on our bodies. The difference is Adapted from material written by Gail Merritt for the process used to make them. So, since the Chicago Public Schools, Office of Mathematics and Science. Used with permission. both forms of vitamin C are identical in ©2006 WGBH Educational Foundation. All rights structure and how they work in the body, reserved. Permission is granted for reproduction of this printed material for educational use only. one can substitute for the other.

www.pbs.org/nova/julian F o rg oTTE N G E n i u s

Chemistry and Plant Medicines Plants Percy Julian practiced Throughout history, humans have used plants to treat all kinds natural products of illnesses. Today, about 40 percent of our prescription medicines chemistry, which is the come from plant extracts or synthesized plant compounds. process of separating Plant-based medicines are everywhere, including the shelves chemicals from plants, of our local drugstores. figuring out their molecular structure, and making them in the laboratory.

Throat Lozenges, Muscle Creams, and Cold and Nasal Medicines

Derived from: Mint (mentha)

Parts used: Leaves

Active ingredient: Menthol. Menthol is now made synthetically or from peppermint or other mint oils.

Use: Relieves itching, relaxes muscle soreness, opens congested sinuses and upper respiratory tract

Mint can be grown easily in a garden. The leaves can be used for tea, salads, and as an herb in foods.

Aspirin

Derived from: Willow (salix) Quinine (Malaria Drug)

Part of plant used: Bark Derived from: Cinchona tree (cinchona pubescens)

Active ingredient: Salicin, a Part used: Bark compound that breaks down to become Active ingredient: Quinine. Quinine and salicylic acid (aspirin). Salicylic acid quinidine are both extracts from cinchona bark. (aspirin) is now synthesized. Both are still used against malaria parasites. Use: Alleviates pain, reduces fever Use: Treatment for malaria and inflammation (swelling), prevents heart attacks 10,000 tons of cinchona bark is harvested annually to make drugs to treat malaria. More than 80 million aspirin tablets are used each year in North America. ©2006 WGBH Educational Foundation. All rights reserved. Permission is granted for reproduction of this printed material for educational use only.

www.pbs.org/nova/julian molecule hascarbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and/orsilicon atoms. processes. Polymers are moleculesthat beads. linktogether like Each made oforhave plasticinthem. Plastics are madeby polymers chemical mouse computer ofplastic.probably otherparts—made Many You’re onchemicals. walking Your favorite Stuff Stuff Chemistry and Stuff Around Us FOR TTENGENIUS U I N E G N E T OT RG O F , andeven someofthe W e Use e sneakers soda bottles soda clothes have soles—and you wear are , your and disperse itasheat.and disperse in sunscreen absorbUVlight light. ofchemicals types Other by andscattering UV reflecting radiation.(UV) They dothis from thesun’sskin ultraviolet and zincoxide, your protect sunscreens ingredientschemical insome “Ouch! Igotasunburn.” The has surface tension (themoleculesstick has surface your hairgetswetter? That’s water because that youDid whenyou know useshampoo, together). The in chemicals water soaksmore easilyinto hair. tension(or any so soap)break thesurface foods. some even and plastics, paper, for glue, coatings to make paints, latex used were which soybeans, from compounds other and proteins, oils, Julianextracted Percy P , titanium dioxide ercy ercy .pb p w. w w J ulian

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©2006 WGBH Educational Foundation. All rights reserved. Permission is granted for reproduction of this printed material for educational use only. Stuff Stuff Chemistry and Stuff Around Us added to chocolate itsmooth. to make in Percy Julian’s laboratory, isoften frommaterial soybeans first extracted beans. The lecithin, chemical anoily Chocolate FOR TTENGENIUS U I N E G N E T OT RG O F ismadefrom cocoa W e Eat e 12–24 hours. The root isready beer in dioxide.giving offcarbon down sugarand breaking process offermentation— to thechemical begin cooled andyeast isadded The flavored sugar water is to water. sugarand boiling bark, allspice, etc.) isadded as sassafras root, wildcherry of natural ingredients (such madefrom avariety extract in Colonial America. An beer Root was made

Sodium nitrite inhibitsthegrowthSodium bacteria. ofharmful and isfound inbutter, processed meat, andchewinggum. as pizzacrust, pudding, milk, andjam. fat BHApreserves sothey don’t moldsandbacteria kills grow onfoods such hydroxyanisole), nitrite. andsodium Calcium propionate preservatives Many stores foods contain ingrocery thechemical added to milk. breakThe down bacteria the To make makes the milk thicken andbecome yogurt. themilkthicken makes processsugar inthemilkachemical that calcium propionate, calcium BHA(butylated .pb p w. w w yogurt , are helpfulbacteria s . RG O / O N a/j / va u l i a n

©2006 WGBH Educational Foundation. All rights reserved. Permission is granted for reproduction of this printed material for educational use only. F o rg oTTE N G E n i u s I’m a Chemist I develop foods and beverages, make I help farmers grow crops and them taste better, and preserve food improve their use of the land by so it lasts longer. examining the chemicals in different I search crime scenes looking for soil types and how different soils evidence that can be analyzed, such as affect crops. I also help solve problems fibers, residues, and DNA. like contaminated soil.

food

forensics soil Here’s what

art I do.

II’m’m an an O Organicrganic marine ChemistChemist

PercyPercy Julian Julian was was an an organic organic chemistchemist. .Organic Organic chemists chemists studystudy compounds compounds that that have have carboncarbon in in them. them. The The word word organicorganic comescomes fromfrom aa timetime whenwhen carbon-containing carbon-containing compoundscompounds were were thought thought to tocome come only only from from living living things. things.Today, Today,medicines, medicines, fibers, fibers, plastics, and other I help create, preserve, and present plastics, and other products products that are made art by testing polymers (plastics) that are made in laboratories in laboratories or factories and other materials in paints. I even or factories also contain alsocarbon. contain carbon. helped develop the wax used in the figures in wax museums. I study chemical reactions and the composition of water and the sediments in bodies of water, like the ocean. I try to find out what conditions are best for marine life.

www.pbs.org/nova/julian ©2006 WGBH Educational Foundation. All rights reserved. Permission is granted for reproduction of this printed material for educational use only. influence the behavior of the whole group.wholethe of behavior the influence robots how individual to learn hopes McLurkin problems. to solve work together bees and ants way by the inspired is swarms robot work with His robots. of mobile swarms studies and builds McLurkin James 1972Born Engineer Robotics J fields. many in work Today, A chemists. become to A to chemistry of field the open helped who a trailblazer I African American Scientists n addition to his successes in chemistry, P chemistry, in successes his to n addition ames Mc ames frican A frican F go rg o mericans by giving them jobs and inspiring them them inspiring and jobs by them giving mericans L urkin E T T

G E s u i n ways to treat diseases. to treat ways better to find things living other and bodies of our chemistry the studied she Now retired, chemistry. in aPh.D. to receive woman American African first the was Daly Maynard Marie 16, 1921 April Born Biochemist and Chemist Daly Maynard Marie frican A frican merican scientists scientists merican ercy J ercy a mission specialist on the space shuttle Endeavour. shuttle space on the specialist a mission as by NASA chosen was she 1992, In space. in woman American African first the was Jemison Mae 17, October Born 1956 Astronaut Mae ulian was was ulian

J emison

Hayden Planetarium in New York. New in Hayden Planetarium of the Dr. Tyson director the is world. the around telescopes from Way. information HeMilky gathers of our structure the and galaxies, dwarf stars, exploding formation, star Tyson studies deGrasse Neil 5, 1958 October Born Astrophysicist N eil de eil .pbs. g/noa/jul n a li u j / ova n / rg .o s b p w. w w G rasse Tyson rasse