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INCREASING ACHIEVEMENT AND HIGHER-EDUCATION REPRESENTATION OF UNDER-REPRESENTED GROUPS IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY,
Jeffrey M Valla1, Wendy M Williams
1Department of Human Development, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.
Underrepresented groups in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) require targeted interventions. Evidence-based reviews are crucial for optimizing STEM educational programs and maximizing investments in diversity and inclusion.
Area of Science:
- STEM Education
- Workforce Development
- Social Factors in Science
Background:
- Significant under-representation of women and ethnic minorities in STEM fields.
- Loss of human capital within the U.S. scientific workforce.
- Proliferation of STEM educational intervention programs to address disparities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically review existing STEM educational interventions.
- To provide an evidence-based framework for developing optimal interventions.
- To guide administrators in maximizing investments in diversity and inclusion initiatives.
Main Methods:
- Review of current data on under-representation in STEM.
- Analysis of developmental research on social factors influencing participation.
- Evaluation of prototypical STEM program designs and their effectiveness.
- Critique of interventions based on age-, ethnicity-, and gender-specific factors.
Main Results:
- Identified common program structures and components in K-12 STEM initiatives.
- Assessed the effectiveness of interventions in addressing specific demographic factors.
- Highlighted the need for improvements in program design based on empirical evidence.
- Discussed the role of program evaluation methods in determining intervention efficacy.
Conclusions:
- Optimizing STEM interventions requires a deep understanding of individual-level social factors.
- Effective programs must be tailored to address age-, ethnicity-, and gender-specific needs.
- Robust program evaluation is essential for delineating successful components and guiding future efforts.
- Inclusion of diverse talent is critical for the future of U.S. science and engineering.
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