He Created the Traffic Light—Now YOU Can Build One!
Feb 24, 2025
Fun STEM Activities for Kids: Celebrating Black History Month!
This February, we’re spotlighting amazing Black inventors like Garret Morgan, who made roads safer with his traffic light.
Garret Morgan saw that streets were dangerous because cars and wagons didn’t have clear rules for stopping and going. So, he invented the traffic light! He also created gas masks to help people breathe safely in dangerous situations. His inventions saved countless lives and made our world much safer.
STEM Activity: Build a Traffic Light Model
Explore the world of engineering by designing your own traffic light model!
- Materials: Cardboard, markers, LED lights (or flashlights), wire, and a battery.
- Instructions:
- Design a traffic light with red, yellow, and green lights using cardboard.
- Use LED lights or flashlights to make each light work.
- Test the timing for switching between lights to mimic real traffic patterns.
How This Uses STEM:
- Science: Learn how electricity powers lights.
- Engineering: Design and build a functional traffic light.
- Technology: Explore how Garret Morgan’s invention evolved into modern traffic systems.
- Math: Calculate the timing sequence for each light.
Garret Morgan’s story shows us that simple ideas can have a huge impact on our daily lives.