"I Never Thought We'd Go Big!" Becoming Change Agents as Doers of Community-Based Scientific Research

• In Event: Roundtable Session 53
  In Roundtable Session: Working With/in and for Communities: Participatory and Community-Based Action Research

Abstract

This study examines how engaging in community-based scientific research through participation in a summer science program transforms the possibilities high school students of color view as available to them in science. This research utilizes qualitative (e.g. interviews) and quantitative (e.g. surveys) data sources. Engaging in science practices and the accompanying program resources generated new possibilities for students as capable science learners and change agents in their community. Furthermore, findings show that the instructor’s vision of science and his students guided the design of the program resources made available. Findings show that youth of color can take up and imagine new possibilities for who they can be in science if their science and racial identities are supported in science programs.

Author

• Tammie Visintainer, TERC