Diversity is one of the most important needs of the STEM economy. Without it, there would be less discoveries and a smaller chance of finding solutions to the world’s most prevalent disparities. In order to harness the full potential of STEM, we as an industry need to consistently incorporate diversity and push back against the issues that cause racial disparities in STEM. For too long, personal biases, also known as implicit bias, have perpetuated racial stereotypes. These implicit biases make many students uncomfortable, as well as create many of the disparities we see today.
Your Implicit Bias is showing
An example of implicit bias can be seen in the way teachers monitor their classrooms. At the Yale Child Study Center, Dr. Walter Gilliam performed a study in which several preschool teachers were asked to watch videos of students to determine misbehavior. However, there wasn’t actually any misbehavior in the videos. Instead, the researchers used eye scanning technology to observe where the teachers looked to identify potential problems. Their findings prove that African American students battle stereotypes more than students of any other race. This study demonstrates how biases against certain populations can begin way before students even learn to write their own name. We must break this cycle because this behavior creates racial disparities in STEM that can continue from K to Career.
Be a part of the conversation
The mission of NSTEM is to support students of all walks of life, by empowering them to breakthrough barriers that may be caused by implicit biases by doing two things. The first is to clearly highlight the importance of diversity. We must include STEM professionals who represent underrepresented populations in the conversation. Examining the lack of diversity in STEM fields through productive discussions lead to conclusions about the true importance of inclusion. Discussing how diversity enhances education by acknowledging its value in ideas, solutions, and strategies, will provide students the opportunity to improve upon racial disparities within their specific disciplines. When we fight against racial disparities and appreciate diversity in STEM, students feel more comfortable and confident with their identity and pursuit of a career in STEM. Start a Chapter at NSTEM to build your students’ confidence today!
Learn from your mistakes
Secondly, in order to ensure quality of education for all students, we must address our own implicit bias. This means educating ourselves on how we may perpetuate harmful stereotypes; we don’t want to increase racial disparities in any field, not just STEM. It’s also critical that we learn from past situations in which we’ve used our own implicit bias and reflect on better alternative ways to handle future similar situations. In addition, the use of diverse teaching practices in STEM classrooms can mitigate bias in everyone and support inclusion of all students. Overall, it’s essential that we show students we appreciate who they are and not as a box to check off for legality’s sake. Show your students they matter.
Written by Anumita Basani
Bibliography
- Gibbs, Kenneth. “Diversity in STEM: What It Is and Why It Matters.” Scientific American Blog Network, Scientific American, 10 Sept. 2014, blogs.scientificamerican.com/voices/diversity-in-stem-what-it-is-and-why-it-matters/.
- Hathaway, Bill. “Implicit Bias May Explain High Preschool Expulsion Rates for Black Children.” YaleNews, 2 Feb. 2018, news.yale.edu/2016/09/27/implicit-bias-may-explain-high-preschool-expulsion-rates-black-children.
- Lindsay. “Why Diversity Is Crucial to Success in STEM.” CERIC, 8 Feb. 2019, ceric.ca/2019/02/why-diversity-is-crucial-to-success-in-stem/.