Discussion: The Challenge of Creating Equity in Science Education
In this facilitated discussion, we will discuss the challenges of creating equitable opportunities for teaching students in science education. We invite your participation! (This discussion is now closed.)
Comments
Picture
Full Name
Kimberly Lichtenberger
Informal Educators
How do you think white informal STEM Ed teachers can promote equitable science education when we are limited in our ability to build relationships because we usually only see kids once?
Thu, 03/18/2021 - 7:48 PM
Picture
Full Name
Alicia Conerly
Suggestions
Good Morning Ms. Kimberly,
I think that one way is to gather information about the students and their environment before you meet them. Maybe through a survey or conversations with previous teachers and or administrators. Then use this as an avenue to build a relationship. Discuss things about yourself, ask them questions about themselves and what they hope to gain from you being their instructor.
Sat, 03/20/2021 - 10:30 AM
Picture
Full Name
Kimberly Lichtenberger
Thanks for the reply!
Thanks for the reply!
Mon, 03/22/2021 - 10:19 AM
Picture
Full Name
Kara Branch
Informal Educators
Hi Kimberly,
Great question! I told only meet with the students in my program a few times a month. However I make myself available to them through email outside of our meetings. Another great way is to include engaging activities whenever you meet to get them to talk. Do icebreakers at the start of your sessions!
Sat, 03/20/2021 - 6:44 PM
Picture
Full Name
Laura MacLachlan
Informal Educators
I make a point of learning and using the students names even if it is a one hour workshop. Names allow me to connect during a whole class discussion or moving around the room. Give a little and get a LOT (as in it takes a little effort on my part, but having students participate and feel recognized makes my job easier).
Thu, 03/25/2021 - 12:05 PM
Picture
Full Name
Melany Gronski
The Challenge of Creating Equity in Science Education Webinar
As a white educator, what advice would you give to me to help support students who do not look like me?
Thu, 03/18/2021 - 8:09 PM
Picture
Full Name
Sharon Delesbore
Thought from Dr. D.
It’s important that we don’t take the approach that color does not matter. Having a safe classroom environment is key so diverse students feel comfortable asking questions. Building relationships where you share about your experiences allows for a communication platform where different perspectives can be shared & understood. Finally create experiences in the science classroom that are relevant to their circumstances.
Fri, 03/19/2021 - 11:33 AM
Picture
Full Name
Alicia Conerly
Assistance
I agree with Dr. D! :). Be authentic, compassionate, and NEVER try to over compensate. They will see right through it.
These may also help you along the way.h
Sat, 03/20/2021 - 10:38 AM
Picture
Full Name
Alicia Conerly
(No subject)
Sat, 03/20/2021 - 10:39 AM
Picture
Full Name
Melany Gronski
Growth Mindset
Love this image! The growth mindset self-talk are wonderful ... to share and to embrace. Thank you for putting this in here. With Gratitude
Mon, 03/22/2021 - 8:07 AM
Picture
Full Name
Alicia Conerly
You're very welcome.
You're very welcome.
Tue, 03/23/2021 - 3:04 PM
Picture
Full Name
Kathy Renfrew
Alicia, I think this…
Alicia,
I think this graphic is awesome! I will be sharing it with the educators I work with. I would love to know who to cite as I tweet and post this graphic
Thank you for your feedback. I have been invested in this 21 day challenge and I have found it helpful to focus on my own bias and grow in knowledge and perspectives. https://mlpp.org/21-day-racial-equity-challenge/ This is an equity challenge that is transformational (if you have a growth mindset :)
Mon, 03/22/2021 - 8:10 AM
Picture
Full Name
Katheryn Kennedy
Melany, Thank you for…
Melany,
Thank you for asking such an important question about supporting all of our students when we are white educators. I appreciate the advice we are getting. Thanks also for posting the 21 day challenge - my initial impression is that this site if full of relevant and meaningful resources.
Mon, 03/22/2021 - 12:01 PM
Picture
Full Name
Alicia Conerly
I am going to try this along…
I am going to try this along with my leadership team!
Wed, 03/31/2021 - 2:33 PM
Picture
Full Name
Chelia McCoo Dogan
I Agree
I Agree with Dr. Delesbore, create science experiences that are relevant to students circumstances, I also agree with Alicia with being yourself, being authentic and having compassion, students can see through you if you are not, especially through your body language.
Thu, 03/25/2021 - 11:29 PM
Picture
Full Name
Sharon Delesbore
Welcome from Dr. D.
This is your moderator, Dr. Sharon Delesbore, also known as “Dr. D.” and welcome to the continuation of our conversation. We welcome your comments, thoughts and questions. Diversity, equity & inclusion must remain at the forefront of our minds at all times so we can ignite the atmosphere to boldly make changes to policy, protocols, procedures & classroom environments that are culturally & ethically nurturing to the engagement of our science students.
Fri, 03/19/2021 - 11:28 AM
Picture
Full Name
Katheryn Kennedy
building relationships
Dr. D.,
You and the entire panel were on my mind this morning as I had my first science class after spring break. With our current schedule I rotate through elementary grades as a specials teacher (everyday for 3 weeks per grade) and students have science for two rotations during the year. I actually had not seen these kindergarten students since October.
I decided to spend the class re-establishing relationships and checking in with the kids. I structured an activity I called "What's new with you?" over zoom as a way to open conversations. The kids were so excited to share! Whether it was losing teeth, or sharing a new baby was coming to the family, it was so valuable to let each child be seen and heard.
Relationships are key to making students feel valued, capable and that STEM is for them. It was well worth the time. I know I will have better engagement tomorrow because of the steps I took today.
Mon, 03/22/2021 - 12:12 PM
Picture
Full Name
Alicia Conerly
Kuddos!
Wow! You're efforts warmed my little ole' heart. Kuddos for you for taking what you learned and absorbed and making it fit your students needs. Please keep us posted on your progress.
Tue, 03/23/2021 - 3:08 PM
Picture
Full Name
Alicia Conerly
Welcome from Alicia Conerly
Great Day Everyone! This is one of your panelist Alicia Conerly. I am still in awe about the rich conversations and interactions we all had from Thursday. I am here to assist with any questions, concerns, or feedback you all may have from the webinar. I hope to hear fro you all soon.
Sat, 03/20/2021 - 10:41 AM
Picture
Full Name
Kara Branch
Welcome from Kara Branch
Hi everyone! What a great webinar. I was so honored to be apart of the discussion. Please post your questions. I am here to assist.
Sat, 03/20/2021 - 6:46 PM
Picture
Full Name
Wanda Bryant
Why achieving equity remains a challenge
Thanks for lifting the importance of nurturing relationships, knowing your students, and inclusion of role models. Unless under resourced schools are given what they need and teachers receive relevant professional learning along with autonomy, safe working conditions and comparable pay to suburban counterparts, we will keep going around the same mountain. I’m for accountability but the testing industrial complex needs to be reimagined.
Sun, 03/21/2021 - 9:16 PM
Picture
Full Name
Alicia Conerly
Correct!
I definitely agree!! it's time for a restructuring with the RIGHT individuals at the helm!
Comments
Informal Educators
How do you think white informal STEM Ed teachers can promote equitable science education when we are limited in our ability to build relationships because we usually only see kids once?
Suggestions
Good Morning Ms. Kimberly,
I think that one way is to gather information about the students and their environment before you meet them. Maybe through a survey or conversations with previous teachers and or administrators. Then use this as an avenue to build a relationship. Discuss things about yourself, ask them questions about themselves and what they hope to gain from you being their instructor.
Thanks for the reply!
Thanks for the reply!
Informal Educators
Hi Kimberly,
Great question! I told only meet with the students in my program a few times a month. However I make myself available to them through email outside of our meetings. Another great way is to include engaging activities whenever you meet to get them to talk. Do icebreakers at the start of your sessions!
Informal Educators
I make a point of learning and using the students names even if it is a one hour workshop. Names allow me to connect during a whole class discussion or moving around the room. Give a little and get a LOT (as in it takes a little effort on my part, but having students participate and feel recognized makes my job easier).
The Challenge of Creating Equity in Science Education Webinar
As a white educator, what advice would you give to me to help support students who do not look like me?
Thought from Dr. D.
It’s important that we don’t take the approach that color does not matter. Having a safe classroom environment is key so diverse students feel comfortable asking questions. Building relationships where you share about your experiences allows for a communication platform where different perspectives can be shared & understood. Finally create experiences in the science classroom that are relevant to their circumstances.
Assistance
I agree with Dr. D! :). Be authentic, compassionate, and NEVER try to over compensate. They will see right through it.
These may also help you along the way.h
(No subject)
Growth Mindset
Love this image! The growth mindset self-talk are wonderful ... to share and to embrace. Thank you for putting this in here. With Gratitude
You're very welcome.
You're very welcome.
Alicia, I think this…
Alicia,
I think this graphic is awesome! I will be sharing it with the educators I work with. I would love to know who to cite as I tweet and post this graphic
Kathy
https://workingparenting.com…
https://workingparenting.com/anti-racism/
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/04/us/jane-elliott-anti-racism-blue-eyes-brown-eyes.html
Above are the links for the two graphics.
Thank you for your feedback…
Thank you for your feedback. I have been invested in this 21 day challenge and I have found it helpful to focus on my own bias and grow in knowledge and perspectives. https://mlpp.org/21-day-racial-equity-challenge/ This is an equity challenge that is transformational (if you have a growth mindset :)
Melany, Thank you for…
Melany,
Thank you for asking such an important question about supporting all of our students when we are white educators. I appreciate the advice we are getting. Thanks also for posting the 21 day challenge - my initial impression is that this site if full of relevant and meaningful resources.
I am going to try this along…
I am going to try this along with my leadership team!
I Agree
I Agree with Dr. Delesbore, create science experiences that are relevant to students circumstances, I also agree with Alicia with being yourself, being authentic and having compassion, students can see through you if you are not, especially through your body language.
Welcome from Dr. D.
This is your moderator, Dr. Sharon Delesbore, also known as “Dr. D.” and welcome to the continuation of our conversation. We welcome your comments, thoughts and questions. Diversity, equity & inclusion must remain at the forefront of our minds at all times so we can ignite the atmosphere to boldly make changes to policy, protocols, procedures & classroom environments that are culturally & ethically nurturing to the engagement of our science students.
building relationships
Dr. D.,
You and the entire panel were on my mind this morning as I had my first science class after spring break. With our current schedule I rotate through elementary grades as a specials teacher (everyday for 3 weeks per grade) and students have science for two rotations during the year. I actually had not seen these kindergarten students since October.
I decided to spend the class re-establishing relationships and checking in with the kids. I structured an activity I called "What's new with you?" over zoom as a way to open conversations. The kids were so excited to share! Whether it was losing teeth, or sharing a new baby was coming to the family, it was so valuable to let each child be seen and heard.
Relationships are key to making students feel valued, capable and that STEM is for them. It was well worth the time. I know I will have better engagement tomorrow because of the steps I took today.
Kuddos!
Wow! You're efforts warmed my little ole' heart. Kuddos for you for taking what you learned and absorbed and making it fit your students needs. Please keep us posted on your progress.
Welcome from Alicia Conerly
Great Day Everyone! This is one of your panelist Alicia Conerly. I am still in awe about the rich conversations and interactions we all had from Thursday. I am here to assist with any questions, concerns, or feedback you all may have from the webinar. I hope to hear fro you all soon.
Welcome from Kara Branch
Hi everyone! What a great webinar. I was so honored to be apart of the discussion. Please post your questions. I am here to assist.
Why achieving equity remains a challenge
Thanks for lifting the importance of nurturing relationships, knowing your students, and inclusion of role models. Unless under resourced schools are given what they need and teachers receive relevant professional learning along with autonomy, safe working conditions and comparable pay to suburban counterparts, we will keep going around the same mountain. I’m for accountability but the testing industrial complex needs to be reimagined.
Correct!
I definitely agree!! it's time for a restructuring with the RIGHT individuals at the helm!
WidenTheScreen Commercial
https://twitter.com/proctergamble/status/1375982781378015233?s=21
#WidenTheScreen
Have a Amazing Week!!!