Black Girls' Learning, Identity, and Engagement in STEM Through Dance

Session Type: Symposium

Abstract

This symposium addresses the nature of identity and learning for black girls in dance and STEM. Through three presentations that use the dance studio as a site for learning, we take a strength-based approach to designing for STEM learning for black girls. We share work that explores dance as a means for creating space for STEM identity-building and engagement. An important aspect of this work and focus of this presentation is research in partnership with community based dance organizations. Through our collective work, we seek to identify a more robust knowledge base that is reflective of the complexities of the gendered, racial and ethnic social identities of Black girls and the interactional relationships to learning in STEM fields.

Sub Unit

• SIG-Learning Sciences

Chair

• Folashade Cromwell Solomon, Framingham State University

Papers

• Animating the Periodic Table: Creating Space for Identity and Engagement in STEM - Folashade Cromwell Solomon, Framingham State University; Tracey Wright, TERC

• Integrating Embodiment and the Whole Self Into STEM Thinking and Learning for African American Girls - Dionne N Champion, University of Florida

• DANCin', STEAMin', and DREAMin': How Black Girls Negotiate Identity and Future Selves in a Dance-Infused STEAM After-School Program - Ayana Allen-Handy, Drexel University; Valerie Ifill, Drexel University; Raja Schaar, Drexel University; Michelle Rogers, Drexel University

Discussant

• Cheryl E. Jones-Walker, University of San Francisco