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Mission Statement
To support educators and learners towards a more inclusive and diverse STEM community
Motivation
In 2018, we had the opportunity to design a brand new engineering undergraduate program that emphasized student-centered learning practices informed by research. Through this process, we found common characteristics of best practices in curriculum design across STEM disciplines. While designing new curricula, we asked ourselves “what matters?” as individuals and as a collective society when educating the next generation. As educators, we responded with the development of intentional curriculum that provides better representation and engagement with students of all backgrounds. The goal of this initiative is to share those experiences, resources and bodies of work with other STEM educators and learners, so we may continue to develop and innovate STEM education together.
Guiding Principles of Inclusive Curriculum
Our inclusive curriculum encompasses practices that promote success across all students. The salient characteristics of inclusive practices that we focus on include representation of diverse STEM figures, providing safe spaces for failure, promoting collaboration over competition, and supporting student autonomy. Each of these practices is founded in the literature as ways to support inclusive learning environments for all.
Highlighting Diverse Figures in STEM
Introducing STEM figures and humanizing them by telling their personal and professional stories, students develop a personal connection to the course material that often does not occur in STEM courses.
Providing Safe Spaces for Failure
The ability to grow from failure, also referred to in the literature as “performance-avoidance,” has been demonstrated to serve as an important predictor of retention of all students in STEM.
Encouraging Collaboration over Competition
Peer learning and collaborative working have been shown to improve student outcomes, promote inclusion, and have been demonstrated in problem-based learning pedagogies.
Supporting Student Autonomy
Student autonomy is an important predictor of student success and motivation, and it has been demonstrated to improve learning outcomes in all students.
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