44.074 - Inclusive and Culturally Relevant Perspectives on Science Education

Session Type: Paper Session

Abstract

The purpose of this session is to explore factors that impact the effectiveness of Inclusive and Culturally relevant STEM educational strategies through the contextual lens of students and their success, teaching practice and motivational factors underlying student achievement in various environments. The purpose of the first paper was to view STEM education in inclusive STEM high schools (ISHSs) and traditional comprehensive high schools through” Day in the Life” narratives of African American and Latino high school students. The second paper contributes to understanding causes of underrepresentation of Latinas in STEM fields through exploring stories of successful Latinas STEM students and examines the context of social places that sustained their achievement in STEM pipelines. The third paper examines the motivational aspects of afterschool school STEM clubs and their impact on perception and achievement of underrepresented rural students. The fourth paper explores the use of the terms urban, suburban and rural within a framework highlighting geographical, community and school district characteristics. The goal being to provide clear contextual definitions that can potentially impact science education research and policy. The final paper addresses how science faculty can develop culturally relevant STEM teaching practices utilizing Ladson-Billings’ culturally relevant pedagogical framework as a model.

Sub Unit

• SIG-Science Teaching and Learning

Chair

• Jean Rockford Aguilar-Valdez, Portland State Univeristy

Papers

• Comparing Student Views of Opportunity to Learn in Comprehensive and Inclusive STEM High Schools - Sharon J. Lynch, The George Washington University; Michael Robert Ford, The George Washington University; Shari Matray, The George Washington University

• Contextual Mitigating Factors as a Methodological Approach to Understand How Latinas Navigate STEM Pipelines - Alejandro J. Gallard, Georgia Southern University; Wesley B Pitts, Lehman College - CUNY; Silvia Lizette Ramos de Robles, Universidad de Guadalajara; Belinda Bustos Flores, The University of Texas - San Antonio; Lorena Claeys, The University of Texas - San Antonio; Katie Brkich, Georgia Southern University

• Motivational Factors Underlying Rural, Underrepresented Students' Achievement and STEM Perceptions in After-School STEM Clubs - Margaret R. Blanchard, North Carolina State University; Kristie Gutierrez, Old Dominion University; Kylie Jayne Swanson Hoyle, University of Colorado - Colorado Springs; Lauren A Harper; Jason L Painter, North Carolina State University; Scott Ragan, North Carolina State University

• The Problematic Use of Urban, Suburban, and Rural in Science Education - Frederick Bradley, University of South Florida; Allan Feldman, University of South Florida; Stephanie Bauman, University of South Florida; Javier Areas, University of South Florida

• What Does Culturally Relevant STEM Pedagogy Look Like? - Angela Johnson, Saint Mary's College of Maryland