STEM Lessons for Historically Underrepresented Students

Introduction

It’s no secret that white men rule the STEM fields. But can STEM areas change to become more inclusive in a world that is becoming more diverse? It’s conceivable, particularly if diligent teachers assist in making connections between STEM-related learning activities and realistic scenarios. 

While entering industries historically dominated by white men, women, including members of racial and ethnic minorities, may need particular support. As a result, efforts to recruit students into STEM fields must broaden and start early. The statistics speak for themselves: 49% of scientific and engineering occupations in 2015 were held by white men. Furthermore, with only 22% of workers, the Asian, Black, or Hispanic communities were notably disadvantaged in similar industries.

Computer classes and practical science laboratories are often unavailable to students attending the nation’s worst secondary schools. It might be challenging for low-income students, especially those who live in rural areas, to complete homework assignments or do online research on STEM-related subjects.

How can educators assist underrepresented groups in making progress, given all the barriers that still exist in the mathematical and scientific fields? Start by using interactive projects and classroom exercises to illustrate how STEM subjects are used in real-world situations. One could include information about scholarships for STEM majors since money may be a barrier for underrepresented kids who desire to attend college.

Stem /Pop Culture Connection

Popular culture could also assist the development of STEM fields among underrepresented students. For example, showing movies, including 2019’s “See You Yesterday,” in class could help close the gap between minorities and STEM education. Two science-savvy Black youths who want to attend an Ivy League institution or spend their summer working vigorously on creating a time travel prototype are the heroes of the Netflix-produced movie.

Higher Learning Opportunities

Even though a STEM-based college education might result in plenty of job prospects in fascinating disciplines, minorities and other members of the underrepresented population may be unable to afford a degree. Studies show that STEM majors, including engineering and the physical sciences, cost about twice as much as business and library science majors. College costs are currently on the rise.

However, despite high tuition expenses across the U.S., there has been hope for minority and low-income students seeking educational opportunities. Teachers should motivate underprivileged kids to submit as many scholarship applications as possible. There are occasions when scholarships are only given to members of a specific category, including women, people of color, and even undocumented immigrants.

Numerous scholarships are available for minority students who want to major in computer science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. Instances include The Golden Door Scholarship or Great Minds in STEM.

There is no reason for STEM professions to lag, given that today’s workforce is more diverse than ever. Irrespective of their gender, religion, race, or socioeconomic status, teachers today have a responsibility to provide all of their students with the skills they need to succeed. The goal of CoderZ is to offer a tool that is affordable and accessible for teachers to use in their classrooms. This encourages more people to pursue STEM careers.

Why is diversity important in STEM fields?

A more diversified team will likely achieve better results than one more homogeneous. According to a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the homogeneous group has “significantly more competence” than the more diverse set. The authors of this study hypothesize that people from various backgrounds have varying experiences and views. As a result, they approach challenges in unique ways, pose novel questions, and come up with creative ideas. Being more open increases the likelihood of scientific success, fostering competitiveness or economic progress.

Conclusion

Diversity is the existence of variety within a community; no one person can be diverse. Different gender, race, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, ability status, and other characteristics may contribute to this variation. The STEM field is still dominated by white men, whereas women and other racial and ethnic minorities tend to be overlooked in these forms of diversity. Because of this, 21k school’s goal is to offer a curriculum that is both economical and easy for teachers to use in the classroom, encouraging future STEM career searchers to be more diverse and inclusive.