“I AM A SCIENTIST” INITIATIVE SEEKS TO CONNECT STUDENTS WITH REAL-LIFE SCIENTIST STORIES TO PROMOTE STEM DIVERSITY

This new classroom program, founded by two women who have overcome their own relevant hurdles, introduces students, particularly those in junior high/high school, to real-life stories of today’s scientists who are on the frontline of modern innovation—on a mission to inspire STEM careers while shattering outdated industry stereotypes.

Key Takeaways

• “I Am A Scientist” helps students connect to stories of real-life scientists on the frontline of modern innovation to inspire STEM careers & shatter industry stereotypes
• The program’s collection of classroom toolkits provide real-life stories of modern scientists, classroom resources, posters , career resources, and more.
• Designed to encourage the next generation of leaders to consider STEM careers while promoting diversity and inclusion.

Science has been the driving force in the modernization of the world as we know it, yet science as an industry has failed to adequately diversify with the times. While the new digital age offers opportunities to expand interest in and appeal of STEM careers, many barriers still hinder equitable access for all students. Conversations of famous scientists often draw answers such as “Albert Einstein” and “Bill Nye the Science Guy”. While accurate references of scientific leaders, the lack of diversity in the public image of scientists can contribute to the lack of diversity in STEM fields.


Introducing the “I Am A Scientist” initiative, which provides opportunities for students, specifically those in Junior High School and High School, to interact with the science and stories of today’s scientists—breaking down barriers like race, gender, and personal interests.


The program’s collection of classroom toolkits provide real-life stories of modern scientists, classroom resources, posters , career resources, and more. The initiative aims to help students engage with scientists that may look, act, or think like them, and are making great strides in remarkable fields that are often left out of career planning discussions. With featured scientists that range from multidimensional graduate students to globally recognized innovators at the top of their field, “I Am A Scientist” tunes into the power that comes from discovering a wide range of role models.

“I Am A Scientist” is designed to encourage the next generation of leaders with various interests and backgrounds to consider and explore STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) careers. The goal is to ensure that every student feels inspired by seeing the relatable individuals behind groundbreaking scientific innovation while enabling teachers to change the narrative about what science is and who can do it.

There are resources and guides for educators, parents, students and the community. 

The idea is simple: to ensure that every student has the opportunity to see themselves in science, and ultimately learns how to pursue a journey of their own.

To learn more visit: https://www.iamascientist.info.

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Free PD and Curriculum Kit about Science and Food

The FDA and NSTA (National Science Teacher's Assoc.) has created a professional development series and free curriculum kit about the Science of Food based on the National Science Education Standards. The site has information on the training for teachers as well as how to order the curriculum kit. The materials are for Science and Family and Consumer Science teachers in Middle and High School. It includes the science and technology of food production, transportation, storage and preparation.

The curriculum kit includes teacher guides, videos and references.  The site also has a lot of the references on it.

Select educators will be selected for a multi-dimensional professional development program, but any teacher can order the curriculum kit and use the materials on the web site.

This is a great way to apply science concepts to something all students know about: food.

Understanding Science - great resource for teachers and students

Understanding Science is a very cool site developed by the University of California Museum of Paleontology in collaboration with other partners, including Berkeley. 


The site describes what science is, what is science evidence, how science works, why science matters, science and society and has a science toolkit. It does a very good job of explaining science and why we need to understand science (and how to understand it).


One of the really great pages is The Real Process of Science which is a much better explanation of how to conduct science inquiry than the Scientific Method. It talks about scientific evidence, exploration and discovery, and testing ideas. This is a much better way to accurately describe how science works than the scientific method.


There is a page for Teachers, which has teaching tips, science tips, and teaching science tips for grades K-16, separated by K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 and 13-16. The tips include implications for instruction, characteristics of students in each grade level, and ways to introduce and explain science. 


There is also a Resource Library, which contains articles and links on teaching science, what is science, and much more. 


This is a great site for all teachers and students, including teachers who are not "science teachers" but must teach science, such as elementary teachers.