Science Educations in/against Reactionary Times

Abstract

This panel explores the intersections of one critical site of science/technology regeneration, schools, and the way they are being shaped, impacted, and creatively responding to the rise of Right Wing Populist (RWP) politics. From Brazil, to Poland, to the USA, right wing parties and figures have come to power oppose seemingly settled scientific truths of global warming, evolution, and even air quality (and a variety of other environmental) standards. These same actants (leaders/parties) also have made neo-nationalism, racism, and rebuttressing of patriarchal relations the center of their political visions, in ways resonant with fascism. They have also portrayed themselves as ‘saviors’ for large fractions of populations who have struggled economically and/or are concerned about movements of people of different races and cultures across borders—often blaming many such problems on “elites,” whom they claim have adversely affected governments. How has science education broadly construed responded (at whatever level, from policy to classroom practice) to these emergent, reactionary forces (Robin, 2011)? How do these proto/quasi/neo fascist/reactionary governmentalities shape the meaning of science education writ broad? How do these reactionary actors engage in their own public pedagogies (Giroux, 2003) of science and technology? And how do educators innovate their own resistances to what are often direct attacks on their subject matter and their profession? We invite STS scholars to join us in exploring these questions of how various and emergent politics of reaction shape, contest, re-enact, appropriate and are resisted by those who reproduce through teaching scientific labor and understanding.

Individual Presentations

• The Fate of Trump’s Science Education: Continuities and Disruptions of the Role of Science in STEM - Matthew Weinstein, Univ. Of Washington-Tacoma

• The Cruel Optimism of Neoliberal Ethics in Science Curricula: A Critical Appraisal - Ajay Sharma; Elaine Margaret Alvey, University of Georgia

• STSE (Science, Technology, Society and Environment) Education for Civic Action: Tensions in Action Research - Nadia Qureshi, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto; Sarah Halwany, OISE, University of Toronto; Minja Milanovic, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto; Zoya Padamsi, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto; Madj Zouda, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto; John Bencze, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto

• Science Education in the Anthropocene(s) - Jesse Thomas Bazzul, University of Regina; Maria FG Wallace, Millsaps College; Marc Higgins, University of Alberta

• STEM Education <- -> Right-Wing Populist Politics - John Bencze, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto; Lyn Carter, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

Session Organizers

• Matthew Weinstein, Univ. Of Washington-Tacoma

• John Bencze, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto