African Americans and Life in a Secret City

Students will learn about the role of African Americans in the Manhattan Project as scientists, technicians, and workers.  Specifically, students will learn about African Americans who worked and lived at one of the secret cities built for the Manhattan Project in Hanford, Washington. They will read oral histories of black construction workers at Hanford, as well as examine historical photographs from the site that reveal more information about the working and living conditions there. Note: This lesson plan works extremely well alongside the AIP Teaching Guide: African Americans and the Manhattan Project, which has students examine several African American scientists who worked on the Manhattan Project at various sites.