An In-Depth Focus on An Emerging STEM School, A Community-Based Framework for STEM Integration, and Fostering Students’ STEM Interest

Abstract

The fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) have been and continue to be dominated by White men (Corbett & Hill, 2015). Women and students of color are underrepresented in post-high school STEM majors and careers in relation to the current demographics of the United States population (Corbett & Hill, 2015). The middle school years mark a decline in interest and positive attitudes toward STEM (Riegle-Crumb, Moore, & Ramos-Wada, 2010). Researchers argue that teaching and learning through STEM integration and the creation of STEM schools, particularly in areas with a high population of under-represented students, could ameliorate this situation. This three-paper dissertation focused on an urban, community middle school located in the Midwestern United States working to develop a STEM focus. The first paper is a case study that explored the factors that impact how teachers and administrators work to develop as an emerging STEM school. The second paper develops a conceptual framework for STEM integration which takes an inclusive approach and incorporates social justice, community strengths and expertise, and personal relevance, and explores the implementation of this conceptual framework. The third paper focuses specifically on ways to foster STEM interest in female students through their participation in inclusive, integrated STEM units. Overarching themes from the three studies include the need for: (i) an inclusive approach to STEM integration; (ii) STEM integration with community connections; and (iii) awareness of social justice-related issues in STEM that promote gender and racial equity in STEM education.