The Perfect Storm: Students With Disabilities and STEM Prof. Jay K. Martin, Mechanical Engineering University of Wisconsin-Madison Midwest Alliance in STEM 1STEM SuccessMarch 16, 2011
The Perfect Storm? Students with disabilities underrepresented in STEM Identification of “storm ingredients” should lead to improved participation Satellite Photo of Katrina 2STEM SuccessMarch 16, 2011
What makes a hurricane? Warm, tropical ocean No fronts Weak high altitude winds Evaporation from the ocean surface To simulate a hurricane, click hereTo simulate a hurricane, click here 3STEM SuccessMarch 16, 2011
STEM Stereotypes Stigma of Self- Reporting STEM Stereotypes Stigma of Self- Reporting How Do Students With Disabilities and STEM Create The Perfect Storm? First 4STEM SuccessMarch 16, 2011
The Perfect Storm 1 - Stereotypes and Stigma STEM Stereotypes –Stereotype 1 - STEM requires high math competency, and maybe, a love of math –Stereotype 2 - STEM requires special talents –Stereotype 2 - STEM is nothing but a bunch of nerds! MORE ABOUT THIS: CLICK HERE! 5STEM SuccessMarch 16, 2011
The Perfect Storm 1 - Stereotypes and Stigma Stigma of Self-Reporting –Eliminates students from getting support services they need 6STEM SuccessMarch 16, 2011
The Perfect Storm 2 Insufficient Methods of Error Correction 7STEM SuccessMarch 16, 2011
The Perfect Storm 2 - Insufficient Methods of Error Correction Single experiences may result in students no longer considering STEM –For example, a bad grade in Algebra 2 will often eliminate STEM as a possibility If the student is capable of STEM, this represents an error 8STEM SuccessMarch 16, 2011
The Perfect Storm 3 Accessibility to, Culture of, and Practice in STEM Disciplines 9STEM SuccessMarch 16, 2011
The Perfect Storm 3 - Accessibility, Culture, Practice in STEM 1.Not Accessible - Not Possible 2.Culture often homogeneous - ~16 % of physics PhDs women 3.Focus of activity may not seem important - Not solving critical problems 10STEM SuccessMarch 16, 2011
Result - The Perfect Storm Accessibility to, Culture of, and Practice in STEM Disciplines Insufficient Methods of Error Correction STEM Stereotypes Stigma of Self- Reporting 11STEM SuccessMarch 16, 2011
More About the Midwest Alliance Please Click Here 12STEM SuccessMarch 16, 2011
Thank You The information contained in this presentation is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. 13STEM SuccessMarch 16, 2011