Author: Tessa Vossen
Affiliation: Leiden University department of Astronomy and Science, Communication & Society
Country: The Netherlands
Co-Author(s): Pedro Russo
Affiliation: Leiden University department of Astronomy and Science, Communication & Society
Country: The Netherlands
Anne Land
Affiliation: Leiden University department of Science, Communication & Society
Country: The Netherlands
Title: A forest of guidelines for Inclusion & Diversity in STEM
In literature about inclusion and diversity in astronomy and STEM education, there are many guidelines to foster inclusive and diverse education and teaching. These guidelines mainly focus on underrepresented groups as girls, ethnic minorities and children from lower socio-economic backgrounds – however these guidelines will eventually benefit all students. For example, inclusive education should include positive role models [1,2], clarify what is expected of students [2], bust the ‘brainy’ image students have of science [3], include parents [1,3], and invest in increasing students ‘science capital’ [3]; science-related qualifications, understanding, knowledge, interest and social contacts. With many guidelines present in literature, it can be hard to see the forest for the trees. Our project aims at designing an intervention aimed at offering more inclusive and diverse STEM education through astronomy topics in Dutch upper primary school. In this workshop, we present a mini-review of the guidelines we found regarding inclusive and diverse STEM education. We invite participants to join a group discussion on how to structure and choose guidelines that are feasible to act upon for curriculum developers, teacher educators and teachers. Our abstract is most relevant for the scientific topic Astronomy for society — Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Empathy in Communicating Astronomy.
References:
[1]: Increasing diversity in STEM: Principles for effective interventions. NUSTEM, Northumbria University, September 2018. Retrieved June 12, 2019 from: https://nustem.uk/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Principles-of-STEM-interventions-Sept-18.pdf
[2]: De Jong, M. (2014). Diversiteit in het hoger onderwijs. [Diversity in higher education]. Noordhoff Uitgevers, The Netherlands.
[3]: Archer, L., Osborne, J., DeWitt, J., Dillon, J., Wong, B., & Willis, B. (2013). ASPIRES: Young people’s science and career aspirations, age 10-14. London: King’s College.