Local Mentors' Role in Rural STEM Pathways: Precarities and Possibilities

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session Eight
  In Roundtable Session: From Isolation to Pipelines: STEM Opportunities in Rural Places (Table 8)

Abstract

Rural youth lack the opportunity to engage in rich STEM experiences and are unable to identify STEM pathways. We describe the role of local mentors in defining these pathways and challenges related to STEM mentoring. We provide a comparative case study of two mentors and their interactions with three middle school youth during a STEM-focused summer program involving programmable sensor technology. Qualitative analysis of recorded youth-mentor interaction revealed two approaches to mentoring. A relational approach centering youth ideas was successful in engaging youth. A sharing information approach led to youth disengagement from STEM pathways. We conclude that mentors play an important role in the rural STEM learning ecosystem by developing possibilities and, at times, pushing youth off the pathways.

Authors

• Srinjita Bhaduri, University of Colorado - Boulder
  Presenting Author

• Colin Hennessy Elliott, Drexel University
  Presenting Author

• Quentin Biddy, University of Colorado - Boulder
  Presenting Author