The goals of this chapter are threefold. The first goal is to examine the scientific attainment of African Americans in the post-"Brown" era. The term scientific attainment is used here to describe more broadly mathematics and scientific achievement as measured in trend studies, academic coursework, and degrees. A second, related goal is to provide a brief overview of the role of scientific education in the United States, with a particular focus on the African American experience. Scientific education, as described here, includes the mathematical sciences and the natural and physical sciences. A third and final goal is to examine the role of science as a tool used to both open and close opportunity structures in educational settings, with Brown as the specific context for this examination. [This article represents Chapter 5 of "'Brown's' Influence on Education and Education Research: Critical Insights, Uneven Implementation, and Unanticipated Consequences," "Review of Research in Education," v28, 2004 (EJ748129).]