0413 Liberty Park Project
Liberty Park students with their project on Dr. Patricia Bath.
As a part of Black History Month, a group of girls in Desiree Spencer’s sixth grade science class at Liberty Park Middle School decided to go beyond the assigned requirements of a project to research black inventors and scientists.
Taylor Brown, Mary Emma Davidson, Maggie Nelson and Andrea Rodriguez contacted Dr. Patricia Bath, the first black female doctor to patent a medical invention. After many attempts to Skype, email and call, the students received an email correspondence and a phone interview with the assistance of Spencer and parent.
Bath praised the girls and sent them photos of her working in the lab during the invention process for her method for removing cataract lenses by using a laser device.
“The challenge to achieve excellence will forever stimulate you to do your best,” Bath said in the interview, “so I invite you to continue to become an even better student. I have concluded that you have some of the same spirit, tenacity and diligence that I had when I was your age. I know you will be successful and achieve great things.”
The girls were inspired by Bath and agreed to keep her updated on their academic journey.
“I am thankful for the inspiration and praise from Dr. Bath that motivated our girls in the field of science,” Spencer said.
