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Addressing Diverse Student Learning Needs

Dr. Mary Kirchhoff, Ph.D., is the director of the Education Division at the American Chemical Society. She previously served as chair of the Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at Trinity College in Washington, D.C. She has also worked with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's green chemistry program and is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Regis Goode is a science teacher at Ridge View High School in Columbia, S.C. She worked as a chemist for 10 years, focusing on environmental analysis, before becoming a high school teacher. She received her National Board Certification in 2001.

Expert Presenters:

American Chemical Society

Engaging Girls and Underrepresented Populations in STEM

Mary Kirchhoff

26 July 2011

The Need

Women Men African-American

Hispanic Native American

Biology 60% 40% 7% 7% 0.7%

Chemistry 50% 50% 8% 7% 0.8%

Physics 21% 79% 3% 3% 0.5%

Mathematics 44% 56% 5% 6% 0.4%

Source: Science and Engineering Indicators: 2010

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The Need

2011 National Academies’ report Expanding Underrepresented Minority Participation: America’s Science and Technology Talent at the Crossroads

Preparation

Access and Motivation

Affordability

Academic and social support

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Characteristics of Successful Programs

Summer programs

Research experiences

Professional development activities

Academic support and social integration

Mentoring

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Engaging All Students

Encourage, not discourage

Role models

Active learning

Lecturing does not work for many students

Labs, demonstrations, group discussions, problem solving activities

Engage students in the process of science

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Science for All Students

National Science Education Standards

Science education policies must be equitable for all students

“Chemistry teachers should be preparing their students for a multicultural world by celebrating diversity in an inclusive classroom environment, but this is not as easy as it sounds.”

Chemistry in the National Science Education Standards

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Chemistry in the Community

High school chemistry textbook

Introduces chemistry on a need-to-know basis in the context of real-world issues

Content in context

6th edition has a stronger focus on sustainability

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Project SEED

Summer Experiences for the Economically Disadvantaged

Hands-on summer research with volunteer scientists

Open to high school students who have completed 10th grade and at least one year of chemistry

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The Harvest

Approximately 9,000 high school students have participated in Project SEED

70% from underrepresented groups

62% female

Evaluation of first 25 years of SEED

70% of students earned a degree in science

63% BS; 13% MS; 7% PhD

ACS Scholars

College scholarships for African American, Hispanic, and Native American students pursuing degrees in the chemical sciences

Students are matched with a mentor

2,500 scholarships awarded since 1995

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Informal Education

Science Festivals

Science museums

After school programs

National Chemistry Week

Chemists Celebrate Earth Day

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ACS National Charter

…to promote scientific interests and inquiry, thereby fostering public welfare and education, aiding the development of our country’s industries, and adding to the material prosperity and happiness of our people.

…the improvement of the qualifications and usefulness of chemists through high standards of professional ethics, education and attainments…

American Chemical Society

Engaging Girls and Underrepresented Populations in STEM: Perspectives from the Classroom

Regis Goode

26 July 2011

About my school setting

• Rural/suburban public school

• Student population

– 69% African American– 22% White– 4% Hispanic– 2% Asian– 3% Other

• Mixed socioeconomic status

• 3 years of Science and 4 years of Math Required to Graduate

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Engaging Girls and Students from Underrepresented Groups

• Students begin to view themselves as scientists

• Students become scientifically literate citizens

• Students (who may not have examples) have the interest and the confidence to pursue study and careers in STEM

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Make the Science Relevant

• Teach issues-based science

• Introduce concepts as needed to discuss and make decisions about the issue

• Example:

– Design a new form of currency

– Concepts introduced: properties of matter, periodic trends, conservation of matter, chemical equations

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Integrate Investigations into the Curriculum

• Make investigations relevant to the learner

• Provide instruction on how to conduct investigations, collect data in a safe environment (not all students are confident in the laboratory setting)

• Encourage and provide opportunities for students to develop good problem-solving skills

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Make the Classroom Student-Centered

• Entrust students with responsibility for their own learning

• Give opportunities to practice decision-making skills

• Provide a rigorous and non-threatening environment where:

– Students are comfortable seeking answers to their questions

– Students can openly discuss concepts when unclear

– Students can seek additional help without judgment

– Students are encouraged to take risks

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Encourage Participation in Science Outside the Classroom

• ACS High School Chemistry Clubs Program

• Project SEED

• Chemistry Olympiad

• Outreach to Local Elementary Schools

• ChemMatters Magazine

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Addressing Diverse Student Learning Needs

Dr. Mary Kirchhoff, Ph.D., is the director of the Education Division at the American Chemical Society. She previously served as chair of the Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at Trinity College in Washington, D.C. She has also worked with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's green chemistry program and is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Regis Goode is a science teacher at Ridge View High School in Columbia, S.C. She worked as a chemist for 10 years, focusing on environmental analysis, before becoming a high school teacher. She received her National Board Certification in 2001.

Expert Presenters:

An on-demand archive of this webinar is going to be available at www.edweek.org/go/PDarchives

in less than 24hrs.