2017 National Conference for Advanced POGIL Practitioners - Poster Presentation
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Title: Impact of Counter-Stereotypical Scientist Spotlight on Secondary Student Perspectives about Who Does Science
Authors: Susie Nicholson-Dykstra, Eric Gordon & Julie Thompson Abstract: Previous studies have shown the importance of seeing oneself reflected in the types of people that perform the content students are expected to learn (Schinske J. et. al. 2016). Despite extensive efforts to reinforce the notion that ALL people can and do become scientists, when asked to picture a scientist, students still cling to an intelligent, awkward, white, male stereotype. This study introduces counter-stereotypical scientists to high school biology students throughout the year by way of reading and watching interviews with these scientists and then reflecting on this information in order to investigate if (1) the stereotypes they hold can be reimagined to also include people like themselves and (2) reflection shifts student ability to identify with scientific communities. Preliminary results will be presented, including qualitative analysis of student reflection statements and survey data, which reveal insights into variables contributing to student perspectives on scientists. Reference: Schinske, J. N., Perkins, H., Snyder, A., & Wyer, M. (2016). Scientist Spotlight Homework Assignments Shift Students Stereotypes of Scientists and Enhance Science Identity in a Diverse Introductory Science Class. Cell Biology Education, 15(3). doi:10.1187/cbe.16-01-0002 
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