Empowering STEM Teachers: Professional Development on Socioscientific Issues and Social Justice

• In Event: Centering Equity in STEM Education

Abstract

This study investigates a professional development (PD) program designed to help STEM teachers in integrating socioscientific issues (SSI) and social justice into their classrooms. By analyzing workshop activities, we explored how the PD promoted the four SSI domains: social, scientific, discursive, and social justice. Findings from qualitative analysis of field notes reveal that while the program effectively supported social and justice domains, the discursive domain, particularly reflective skepticism and position elucidation, requires further development. This research contributes to the growing body of knowledge on SSI education by providing empirical evidence of PD implementation in fostering teachers' capacity to create equitable and engaging STEM learning environments.

Authors

• Augusto Macalalag, Arcadia University

• Alan Kaufmann, Arcadia University