Inclusive Science: Inspiring 8th Graders from Underrepresented Groups into STEM with Microbiology and Immunology

• Main Author: Magdia De Jesus
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: American Society for Microbiology 2020-04-01
• Series: Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education
• Online Access: http://jmbesubmissions.asm.org/index.php/jmbe/article/view/1995

Inclusivity in STEM requires practices that include transforming the culture in a classroom. This can be done by placing value on diversity, student experience, increasing student engagement, and encouraging students to have a critical lens to solve problems. As a way to develop an inclusive science curriculum for students in a community that is among the poorest in New York state, local STEM organization Rise High Inc partners with experts in STEM fields,  K-12 educators, mentors, and community organizations to create sustainable low-cost, high quality, engaging, and relevant content that ignites curiosity and exploration for this underserved community. An exemplary case is this highly-interactive 2-part instructional module in Microbiology and Immunology, targeted to 8th graders, that was designed in partnership with a local expert in these fields. This module offers creative ways to learn and apply knowledge in realistic ways, while using easy-to-access materials in classrooms.