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