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More than a token photo: humanizing scientists enhances student engagement
Robin A Costello1,2, Emily P Driessen1,3, Melissa K Kjelvik4
1Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA.
Proceedings. Biological Sciences
|January 21, 2025
Summary
Adding humanizing details about scientists, not just pictures, significantly boosts student engagement in biology. This effect is strongest for students who relate to the scientists, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds.
Area of Science:
- Educational Psychology
- STEM Education
- Sociology of Science
Background:
- Highlighting counter-stereotypical scientist role models in educational materials is believed to promote equity and success.
- However, the specific elements that make these materials effective are not well understood.
- It remains unclear if visual depictions alone are sufficient to convey diversity in science.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of visual depictions versus humanizing information about scientists in educational materials.
- To determine which elements are most effective in increasing student engagement with biology course materials.
- To explore the mediating role of student-scientist relatedness in engagement.
Main Methods:
- A study involving over 3700 undergraduate students across 36 institutions.
- Randomized distribution of three versions of biology course assignments over several academic terms.
- Utilized structural equation modeling to analyze the relationships between humanizing information, student-scientist relatedness, and engagement.
Main Results:
- Including humanizing information about scientists significantly increased student engagement with biology materials.
- The positive effect of humanizing information was particularly pronounced for students who related to the featured scientists.
- This effect was strongest among students who shared one or more excluded identities with the scientists.
Conclusions:
- Humanizing information about scientists is crucial for enhancing student engagement, more so than just visual representation.
- Facilitating student-scientist relatedness mediates the positive impact of humanizing descriptions on engagement.
- Educational materials should feature humanized and relatable scientists, especially those from diverse backgrounds, to improve representation and engagement in STEM fields.
Keywords:
biology undergraduate educationcounter-stereotypical scientistequityrelatabilityscientist role modelMore Related Videos
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