January 26, 2026

Fernbank Celebrates STEAM During Black History Month

In honor of Black History Month, Fernbank would like to highlight a few pioneers who have made an impact on the STEAM Community.  

Dr. Warren M Washington

Dr. Warren M. Washington has had a lasting impact on climate science. Noted as the 2nd African American person to earn a Ph.D. in meteorology, he co-created groundbreaking computer models that enable scientists to study future atmospheric states, which is crucial for understanding the impact of climate change. In 2019, Washington was awarded the Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement, widely regarded as the “Nobel for the environment.” His research also contributed to the work of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which was awarded the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize for its efforts to understand and address climate change.

Learn more about climate science and the impact cold weather has on our ecosystem in Fernbank’s newest exhibit, Planet Ice, on view Feb. 7 through May 3, 2026. 

Alma Woodsey Thomas

A native of Columbus, GA, Alma was a widely acclaimed painter known for her brightly colored art inspired by nature, science and music. Thomas was the first person to graduate from Howard University with a Fine Art Degree and the first Black woman to hold a solo exhibition at the Whitney Museum of American Art. During the Obama administration, she became the first Black woman to have a painting acquired by the White House Collection.

Science and technological advancement served as Thomas’ inspiration for pieces like Aquatic Gardens (1973, SAAM) and Snoopy - Early Sun Display on Earth. Through her use of bright mosaics, she highlighted the joys and wonders of nature.

Experience the powerful intersection of science and art colliding at Fernbank - explore Flight of Butterflies when it opens on Mar. 14.

Mark Dean

Mark Dean is a pioneering inventor and computer scientist who co-created the IBM personal computer and continues to research advanced computer architecture today. Dean holds 43 U.S. patents for his inventions and has contributed to crucial advancements in computer systems, such as enabling motherboards to connect with keyboards, disk drives and printers. His team developed the color PC monitor and led the creation of the first gigahertz chip in 1999, which can perform a billion calculations per second. In 1996, he became the first African American to be named an IBM Fellow. He was later honored with the National Institute of Science Outstanding Scientist Award for his significant contributions to technology.

Visit the STEAM Lab to learn about other African American pioneers and participate in hands-on activities inspired by their work.

Sources:

• Derr, E. (2022, February). Celebrating Black History Month: Climate science. Nuclear Energy Institute. https://www.nei.org/news/2022/celebrating-black-history-month-climate-science
• Smithsonian American Art Museum. (n.d.). Alma Thomas. Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved January 23, 2026, from https://americanart.si.edu/artist/alma-thomas-4778#:~:text=Alma%20Thomas%20was%20a%20teacher,that%20emphasized%20culture%20and%20learning
• Teach Computing. (2020, October 26). Mark E. Dean: co-inventor of the PC. National Centre for Computing Education. Retrieved January 23, 2026, from https://teachcomputing.org/blog/mark-dean/

Photo Credits:

• Warren Washington looking at microfilm showing simulation results in 1973. (Photo by UCAR, Ginger Hein, CC BY-NC 4.0, via OpenSky)
• By Oregon State University - https://www.flickr.com/photos/oregonstateuniversity/46150231735/, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=150542532
  
• Alma Thomas, The Eclipse, 1970, acrylic on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 1978.40.3
• Alma Thomas with her portrait by Laura Wheeler Waring, Portrait of a Lady (1947, SAAM) in her home, Washington, DC, 1968. Photo by Ida Jervis. Alma Thomas papers, circa 1894-2001, Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution
• Mark Dean at IBM in the 1980s, when he was part of the PC development team. Photo courtesy of Mark Dean.
• https://www.ibm.com/history/mark-dean