1. The Achievement gap in physiology
Lee Bishop and Jessica TeSlaa

2. What does Phys look like?
500 students
Undergrads + grad students
Lecture + lab + discussion section
Discussion sections taught by TAs

3. The achievement gap

4. Teaching as Research Question
What impact, if any, does integrating diverse role models into cooperative learning activities in the context of a discussion section have on student
awareness of minority contributions to physiology
attitudes towards science and scientists
attitudes towards diversity
academic performance of minority students

5. Learning outcomes
The students will be able to explain why the research done by minority scientists is valuable scientifically and socially.
Students will be able to evaluate how these contributions may be applied to their own life.
Students will be able to reflect on the role of diversity in physiology

6. Assessment Are students more aware of minority scientists?
Brief, open-ended quiz
Have student attitudes towards science/scientists changed?
CARS or CLASS survey
Have student attitudes towards diversity changed?
Openness to diversity and challenge scale
Is there any change in student outcome (i.e. a reduction in D/F/drop rates for minority students)?
Changes in attitude about the relevance of science
Colorado learning attitudes about science
Siegel, M.A. and Rnney, M.A J of Res Sci Teaching. 40(8):
CLASS survey,
Wabash National Study of Liberal Arts Education,

7. Diverse role models intervention
Minority students are less likely to have role models from their ethnic or cultural background in the sciences
Nelson, D. and Rogers, D. A National Analysis of Diversity in Science and Engineering Faculties at Research Universities.

8. Diverse role models intervention
Increased awareness of women scientists and altered perceptions of scientists (qualitative)
Increased awareness of women scientists and improved perception of class climate, but not altered attitudes towards gender equality or scientists (quantitative)

9. Intervention timeline
TA training
Discussion section 2:
Case study on diabetes
Discussion section 4:
Asthma/Respiratory
Discussion section 1:
Administer surveys
Group formation
Broad overview of diversity in physiology
Discussion section 3:
Cardiac health
Last discussion section:
Administer post- class survey
Data analysis will be carried out after the semester is over, and survey responses will be linked with exam grades

10. Cooperative learning activities + role models
Topics drawn from unit subject matter and a survey of student concerns given out in Fall 2011
Biographical material and work of a minority researcher will be integrated into an existing activity or case study
If the activity does not already address some aspect of diversity, we will add that component
Students will work in groups of five to accomplish the activity
Knowledge will be shared and summarized with the entire group at the end of the activity
Case study collections: sciencecases.lib.buffalo.edu/cs/collection/ and nativecases.evergreen.edu/
Biography collections: SACNAS, The History Makers, The Secret Life of Scientists, Centennial UW, Faces of Science – African Americans in the Sciences

11. The Delta pillars Learning through diversity Learning communities
Minority researchers presented as role models
Small group work followed by large group discussion will allow more students to be heard
Learning communities
Shared discovery - Working in small groups on topics linked to course content and student interests
Life experiences - Case studies with real-life scenarios will connect topics in physiology with the big picture
Functional connections - Pooling knowledge and discussing conclusions in the context of the larger group
Inclusive learning - Include discussion about diversity with each case study