Culturally Responsive Classroom in 7th Grade Science
7th Grade Science
Eric Lee
Problem Identified: Evidence suggests students from underrepresented groups stay away from science and engineering careers begin in the middle grades. I noticed students started to get excited about the different STEM fields after doing research and having class discussions throughout the weeks.
Hypothesis: If we talk about underrepresented scientists in STEM fields then students will have a better understanding of this field.
Data Collection:
Drawings of a Scientist: In the 1960s and 1970s, 5,000 children drew a scientist. Doodles included lab coats, excited statements about discovery and "abnormally long sideburns." A theme emerged: The scientists were men. “Not a single boy in that study drew a female scientist.” Only 28 girls of the 5,000 students drew female scientists - less than 1 percent.
Total number of drawings from MS 442: 79
23% of Drawings were a Female Scientist
5% of Drawings were African American/Hispanic Scientists
7th Grade: 87 students (at the time of the study)
57% of 7th grade are boys
43% of 7th grade are girls
Top Career Choices in STEM at MS 442
Computers: 13 (Animator 2, Coder 7, Programmer 3, Software Developer, App Developer, and a Game Designer 4 (Rockstar Games)
Engineer: 9 Biomedical, Computer, Mechanical, and a Rocket Engineer
Psychologist: 6
Architect: 5
Doctor: 5
Marine Biologist: 3
66% of Females in 7th Grade Want to Work in a STEM Field
66% of Minority Males in 7th Grade Want to Work in a STEM Field
59% of Minorities in 7th Grade Want to Work in a STEM Field
Actionable Step: It’s important to show the many groups working in STEM fields because students already have a misconception that all scientists are old white men.
Overall Findings/Impact: I think this inquiry project was successful. For one, it forced me to continue to do research and to find scientists that are relevant to my students. Pop culture, family and education systems can all play a part, advertisements in technology magazines tend to portray men in more technical roles than women, television often portrays everything technical as a male field. “Bill Nye the Science Guy” introduce STEM to girls as if males are intellectually superior, stereotypical men (with pocket-protectors and glasses who are seen as anti-social and nerdy) as main characters and women are usually lab assistants or people who are learning from or looking up to the main character. Only 20% of all parents encourage their children to consider an engineering career, so as a Science teacher I need to let my students know there are many opportunities for them in these fields.
