Still Hidden? High School STEM Students and Perceptions of Race and Gender Representation

• In Event: 45.078 - Toward Inclusive Practices in Professional Development Schools

Abstract

This paper seeks to address gaps in gender and racial representation in STEM through analysis of 34 high-school students’ perspectives after participating in a three-week PDS-led summer program geared towards teaching and STEM. The perceptions of traditionally underrepresented students interested in STEM are important to provide educational experiences and offerings which additively contribute to students’ access and representation in STEM. Results indicate participants drew on strong family role models in STEM, used white privilege and patriarchy to explain underrepresentation, and called for expanding dominant images of who and what STEM includes. Implications and possibilities for PDSs and other educational endeavors to expand representation of STEM professionals and include STEM careers that are traditionally absent from dominant depictions.

Authors

• Anne E. Martin, Georgia State University

• Teresa R. Fisher-Ari, Georgia State University

• Gwendolyn T. Benson, Georgia State University

• Susan L. Ogletree, Georgia State University