Celebrating Achievements & Excellence During Black History Month
Throughout the month of February, in a variety of methods and settings, students at Palmetto Christian Academy fostered vibrant celebrations learning about Black History Month, weaving it seamlessly into various academic disciplines. Middle School Math Teacher Sasha Heiney, who took part in leading this emphasis, explains how students were able to celebrate Black History Month in her class.
"My 7th and 8th grade students embarked on a mini-project highlighting black mathematicians who made profound impacts on the world of mathematics. Students selected a person of their choice, researched them and learned about that person’s biography and achievements in the field of mathematics, and then made a poster to share their findings."
Students say this was a meaningful learning experience. Will Chandler was blown away learning about David Blackwell, “David Blackwell was brilliant and an insightful mathematician. It was interesting to learn how he contributed to probability theory and information theory.” Millie Ralph also gained appreciation for black mathematicians, “I learned about Morgan Ray who gave women a greater voice within the society among African American mathematicians.”
Kara Karnes, a history teacher at PCA, expresses delight in integrating Black History Month into her classes. She led students through a study encouraging students to dive into both familiar and lesser-known stories of contributions of Black Americans. This project not only informed but kindled excitement among students as they continually discovered new historical figures.
Elle Hinson emphasized the broader perspective gained, recognizing the diverse achievements of African Americans and their enduring impact on the fabric of America: “In this project we were able to read and learn about the many diverse achievements of different African Americans and the fundamental contributions and impact they had on America.”
Palmetto Christian Academy's commitment to such interdisciplinary, engaging initiatives during Black History Month ensures a holistic and enriching educational experience for its students. PCA remains committed to honoring the past and actively shaping compassionate and informed Christian leaders for the future.