The Unexpected Advocate: Tackling Inequity One Equation at a Time!

 Why Stem Fairs are so Important: BIPOC STEM IDENTITY GROWTH ACTIVITY 1. Importance of Representation (“Seeing People Who Look Like Me”) a. Role Models and STEM Identity Role models from similar backgrounds have been shown to positively influence students’ sense of belonging and “possible selves” in STEM (Markus & Nurius, 1986). When students see individuals who share aspects of their identity succeeding in STEM fields, they are more likely to envision themselves in those fields (Lockwood & Kunda, 1997; Zirkel, 2002). This exposure helps counter stereotypes , fosters confidence , and helps underrepresented students develop a STEM identity (Carlone & Johnson, 2007). b. Near-Peer Mentoring Near-peer mentors (slightly older students or undergraduate/graduate-level mentors, often from similar backgrounds) have been documented to have powerful impacts on STEM self-efficacy (Tsui, 2007; Crisp & Cruz, 2009). Students often find near-peer mentors more approachable,...

  Fostering STEM Identity in Underserved Students: A Teacher’s Story Introduction It’s a common refrain among educators to lament, “They never seem to try.” Yet behind that frustration often lies a host of unseen barriers . Recently, I held two parent-student conferences that forever changed how I view certain students in my classroom—a young man and a young woman—who have long tested my patience and teaching strategies. Their critiques stung , but their honesty also revealed the realities faced by students whose language, background, and experiences continually undermine their sense of belonging in STEM. Eye-Opening Conferences Each conference was meant to address behavior, attendance, and low assessment grades . However, they quickly became heartfelt discussions about language barriers, broken trust, and a deep-seated fear of failure. The Young Lady’s Conference: Present: The dean of students, who served as her advocate and translator, ensuring both parents and stude...