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George Washington Carver High School for the Sciences

Photo courtesy of Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/98503047/

George Washington Carver (1864-1943) was well-known for being ahead of his time in the world of natural science. He sought to find cash crop alternatives to discourage straining labor of cotton picking. In addition, he invented tools and methods to make agriculture more efficient.

As a Black man born in the early 1860s, Carver faced significant barriers to obtaining his education and pursuing his research interests. He developed his understanding of agricultural labor for three years on his own plot of land before becoming the first Black student at Iowa State University. After graduating Iowa State in 1896 with a Master of Science Degree, he went on to teach agriculture at Tuskegee Institute. Carver taught for 47 years passing down lessons such as crop rotation and other farmer techniques.

Carver was a prodigy in learning, specifically curious as to the different uses of produce like peanuts, and the invention of new products. His many contributions include glue, the Jesup Wagon, a vehicle to carry agricultural exhibits to town, instant coffee, shaving cream, and 325 uses for peanuts.

George Washington Carver High School for the Sciences in particular was established after the closing of Springfield High School by the NYC school board in 2007. Springfield High School became an educational campus housing George Washington Carver, as well as Excelsior Preparatory High School, and Queens Preparatory Academy. G.W.C. High School is most known for maintaining Springfield’s veterinary program.

Sources:

“The Legacy of Dr. George Washington Carver”, Tuskegee University, accessed June 8, 2024, https://www.tuskegee.edu/support-tu/george-washington-carver “George Washington Carver (1864-1943)”, Smithsonian, National Portrait Gallery, accessed June 8, 2024, https://npg.si.edu/learn/classroom-resource/george-washington-carver-scientist-and-miracle-worker

“George Washington Carver”, U.S. National Park Service, accessed June 8, 2024, https://www.nps.gov/people/george-washington-carver.htm

“Tuskegee’s Jesup Cyber Wagon: Revisiting a Groundbreaking Idea to Tackle Historic Inequalities”, Internet Society, accessed June 19, 2024, https://www.internetsociety.org/issues/community-networks/success-stories/tuskegee/#:~:text=Jesup%20Cyber%20Wagon%20was%20created,housing%20to%20the%20local%20communities.

“Springfield Garden Educational Campus” Inside Schools, accessed June 19, 2024, https://insideschools.org/school/29Q420

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