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!
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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.?_______________
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Scientific Breakthroughs
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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
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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? _______________
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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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January 2007
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