Teacher Engagement: Increasing Participation in STEM Through Positive Classroom Experiences

• In Event: Engaging BIPOC Youth in STEM

Abstract

An outreach program delivering hands-on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) activities was created through teacher collaboration with the aim of promoting equity in STEM through increasing student engagement. Using a positive psychology lens, we focus on teacher characteristics that positively influence underrepresented students. Survey and focus groups of teachers were used to assess how well the outreach program creates teacher feelings of confidence and enjoyment, and how well the activities engage students. Survey results demonstrate most teachers felt more confidence and enjoyment following STEM-mentor facilitated sessions. Through the collaboration, teachers from Indigenous schools identified the importance of incorporating relevant Indigenous learnings into future initiatives.

Authors

• Jennifer Jakobi, University of British Columbia - Okanagan

• Haizley Trevor-Smith, University of British Columbia - Okanagan

• Rebecca McCullough, University of British Columbia - Okanagan