Skip to main content

Lesson Plan, Article, Activity :

Lesson Plan, Article, Activity Chinese American Contributions to Science and Technology

  • Grade Level 6th-12th Grade
Open Resource (opens in new tab)

Introduction

This lesson plan supports the Committee of 100’s report entitled, "From Foundations to Frontiers: Chinese American Contributions to the Fabric of America.” It addresses the sections entitled, “Building an Economic Powerhouse” (p. 22-23, p. 26) and “Threading the Social Fabric” (p. 47-48). More specifically, it focuses on Chinese Americans’ historic and ongoing contributions to the fields of science and technology.
In this lesson, students will learn about Chinese American innovators and leaders in the field of science and technology. Students will examine the vast array of contributions and innovations driven by Chinese Americans in medicine, healthcare, computer technology, biological sciences, and more.

Lesson Objectives:
Students will:

  • Identify examples of Chinese American contributions to the field of science and technology
  • Research Chinese American innovators and/or innovations in science and technology

Essential Questions

  • Why were early Chinese immigrants limited in their jobs and opportunities?

  • How did Chinese Americans advance STEM in the United States?

  • What were the effects of the repeal of the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1943 and the 1965 Immigration Act?

  • Who are some of the scientists mentioned in the text? Why were these scientists specifically mentioned?