Adapting Goals of 21st Century Skills for System-Disrupting Science Education

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session 1
  In Roundtable Session: Critical Perspectives on STEM Classrooms: Understanding Underrepresentation and Push-Out

Abstract

The compounding of four grave crises (health pandemic, economic crisis, systemic racism, and climate change) have exacerbated the need for critical and innovative approaches to science education. Through an examination of a multi-layered environmental science program, we observed the potential of cultivating 21st century skills in service of developing learners to be more conscientious problem solvers to meet the demands of this critical climate. By narrowing in on 21st century skill sets and redefining the values and approach for learner goals we identified a framing that moves education away from producing conformers and toward empowered learners and system disruptors.

Authors

• Aujanee Sharice Young, University of California - Berkeley

• Sarah Olsen, University of California - Berkeley

• Kevin Cuff, University of California - Berkeley

• Ardice Hartry, University of California - Berkeley