Lewis Latimer House Museum Launches Latimer’s Legacy Contests in Celebration of Black History Month

To celebrate Black History Month, the Lewis Latimer House Museum proudly announces Latimer’s Legacy Contests for K-12 students. The contests pay homage to the extraordinary legacy of Lewis Latimer—an African-American inventor, poet, and artist!

“We invite students to channel their inner inventors, poets, and artists, following in Latimer’s footsteps,” says Education Manager Adriana Burkins. “These contests not only honor Lewis Latimer’s enduring legacy but also provide an educational platform for students to connect with history in a meaningful way.”

Participants have the chance to win prizes, including $175 gift cards, Scholastic books, Under Armour Curry 1 Retro “Black History Month edition” Lewis Latimer sneakers, and a class field trip to tour the new permanent exhibition at Lewis Latimer House Museum, set to open this spring. The new exhibition will provide an immersive experience, showcasing Latimer’s life and contributions.

The three contests span different grade levels for elementary, middle, and high school students:

  • Grades K-5 Invention Contest: Elementary school students are encouraged to submit drawings and brief descriptions of original inventions tackling problems big or small.
  • Grades 6-8 Poetry Contest: Middle School students are asked to write an original poem or haiku inspired by the life and contributions of Lewis Latimer.
  • Grades 9-12 Art Contest: High school students are invited to create original artworks inspired by Latimer’s legacy.

All entries can be sent to info@lewislatimerhouse.org and should include the entrants full name, grade, name of their school, and the title of their work. The subject line should include the name of the contest they are entering.

“Lewis Latimer not only left an indelible mark on science but also passionately advocated for the fusion of arts and sciences,” says Executive Director Ran Yan. “Latimer’s legacy stands as a testament to the interconnectedness of these disciplines and reminds us that creativity is the catalyst for scientific breakthroughs.”

Latimer’s Legacy Contests will accept entries until March 31st. For more information and contest rules, visit: https://www.lewislatimerhouse.org/contest

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