Fred Begay: Physicist by 3 names

Fred was the first Native American to receive a PhD in physics. He focused on nuclear physics and spent a majority of his career working extensively in nuclear fusion research and development. Begay had much difficulty in this cultural path to becoming a scientist, a predominantly white field. Students in this lesson will work to understand the struggle of being torn between two widely different cultures, feeling outcast in both, as well as the nuances of nuclear fusion, and the advances needed to make it a viable energy source. Students will learn about Fusion both through a video and science news article and compare how the two represent information.