Dr. Henry Thomas Sampson Jr. was the first African American to receive a doctorate in Nuclear Engineering and was a man fascinated with preserving the history of African Americans in entertainment. Dr. Sampson used his passions for science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math to become a renowned inventor, author, and overcomer.
Inventor
As an engineer, Dr. Sampson was accustomed to finding new ways of solving problems. When rockets had problems launching safely into space, Dr. Sampson invented materials that could help rockets propel in the way they were supposed to. When people had a problem taking gamma energy and turning it into usable power, Dr. Sampson invented the gamma-electric cell which converted gamma rays into electricity.
Discussion
K-3rd Grade
- What are some inventions that keep us safe when we travel in cars, planes, and boats?
- What do you use that is powered by electricity? Where does that electricity come from?
4th-6th Grade
- The gamma-electric cell converts gamma rays into electricity. What are some other ways electricity is generated?
Vocabulary
K-3rd Grade
- Problem (noun): a question or moment that is challenging to answer or solve
- Safe (adjective): protected from danger
4th-6th Grade
- Gamma Ray (noun): extremely small wave of radiation produced by some of the most powerful reactions in the universe, including supernovas, nuclear explosions, lightning, and even radioactive decay
- Convert (verb): to move something from one form into another
Author
As Dr. Sampson studied and collected African American films and history, he recorded that information by publishing several books. Dr. Sampson’s books and studies focused largely on the role African Americans played on stage, radio shows, and television. Dr. Sampson’s efforts preserved the works of many African American entertainers.
Discussion
K-3rd Grade
- Which do you like best: plays, radio, or television shows? Why?
- Why is it important that people write and read about history?
4th-6th Grade
- Why is it important that Dr. Sampson recorded the history of African American entertainers?
- If you were writing a historical book about what is happening in the world right now, what would you include? Why do you think people in the future should know about those things?
Vocabulary
K-3rd Grade
- Film (noun): a form of a movie which was recorded on film rolls, also used as a word to describe movies in general
- Stage (noun): a place where people give performances and act for the entertainment or education of others
4th-6th Grade
- Preserve (verb): to maintain the original quality of something
- Several (adjective): an ambiguous number which is more than two, but not by much
Discussion
K-3rd Grade
- How can you help other people when they are treated poorly?
- How can you be brave?
4th-6th Grade
- Segregation was a dark time in our state’s history. Why was it important for segregation to end?
- What can we learn from Dr. Sampson’s peaceful protest against segregation as a child?
Vocabulary
K-3rd Grade
- Racial (adjective): having to do with the color of people’s skin and their ancestry
- Deed (noun): something which is done on purpose
4th-6th Grade
- Oppose (verb): to resist something, attempting to prevent its happening
- Protest (noun): a public expression against something, especially by someone with less power than the person to whom their protest is directed
