Ep. 86: Raising STEMinists

EQ: What does equity in science education in the Corona Era look like and how might teachers continue to evolve their practices to engage students in a virtual space?

Guest: Chanel Johnson, science educator. Check her bio and interview from  Leading Equity and Interview with Teachers on Fire. 

Of course we had to ask Chanel a little bit about the historic role Georgia is playing in the 2020 elections. However, our main conversation focuses on figuring out what it means to be a STEMinist and how to encourage students of color to see themselves as scientists. Chanel also gives us insight into how importance Science education is in the middle of a pandemic. Lastly, she shares resources and ideas to help teachers intentionally embed culturally responsive teaching practices in a virtual context?

We’re excited to announce a collab with The Nerd Farmer podcast. We’re both going to be reading and recording episodes on the book Caste by Isabel Wilkerson. Tweet about the book with either #nerdfarmreads or #readlessbasic

Champagne & Real Pain:

🥂 YO, BIDEN IS PRESIDENT-ELECT!!!!!!!

Do Your Fudging Homework:

• Megan: Watch Chanel’s interview with Teachers on Fire! The link will be in the show notes

• Hope: Order and read Chanel’s book “The Gyrlfriend Code: Sorority Edition”; Also, KEEP DOING THE WORK.

Ep. 58: Equity in Science Education

EQ: Why is equity an issue in science education and what can be done to promote access and opportunity for women, students of color, and young people living in poverty?

Guests: Natalie Reszka and Jen Holm, Masters in Science Education both educators at Lincoln High School in Tacoma. 

Natalie and Jen share their journey into the sciences, including barriers they face as women in this field. They unpack systemic issues current facing low-income high schools and the lack of funding to support well-rounded science programs. They elaborate on concrete ways they help students see themselves as scientists, and why we need to speak up and advocate for our students, calling out disparities in science education.

Related Links:

• Students of Color Face Persistent Disparities in Access to Advanced STEM Courses

• Latinos, African-Americans have less access to math, science classes, new data show

• More black and Hispanic science teachers could mean more scientists of color

• Murdoch Charitable Trust Grant program

Donate to Jen and Natalie’s classrooms!

• For a tax-deductible donation send a check to Lincoln High School addressed to Patrick Eriwn with a note for Natalie Reszka (nreszka@tacoma.k12.wa.us) or Jen Holm (jholm@tacoma.k12.wa.us)

• Contribute via Venmo @Natalie-Reszka

Champagne & Real Pain:

• Champagne: first all female space walk!

• Real Pain: For the DB who think that only men can be scientists or enter scientific fields; those denying climate change

Do Your Fudging Homework:

• Hope: How Islamic Scientists changed the world 

• Annie: read the research about gatekeeping in science and continue to educate yourself about educational disparities. There’s a ton of great research and we need to revive science education to literally save the planet. 

• Natalie: Watch Before the Flood