Black History Month Spotlight: Day #21
Contribution: Renowned scientist who helps people understand our universe
Age: 71
Mini Bio:
Sylvester James Gates is a trailblazing physicist and National Medal of Science winner. He was born in Tampa, but he grew up in the Parramore neighborhood of Orlando. His friends and family call him “Jim.” You might even have seen him on television – he has been on PBS programs such as “Nova.” In a 2016 TV commercial, he appears as himself, helping a young man understand that “you don’t have to be a brainiac” to do your own taxes. People do think of Jim as a “brainiac,” but you would find him very easy to talk with. Like the famous scientist Albert Einstein, Jim does work to help us understand the structure of our universe.
- Instead of thinking of particles to explain our world, Jim says everything may be made of very tiny pieces of string that vibrate back and forth, like guitar strings.
- That way of looking at the universe is called string theory.
- Every year, a student at Jones High School receives a $1,000 award for excellence in math and science that’s named for Jim.
- He has delivered the prize in person every year since 2004.
Further Reading:
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