Being Human in STEM Book Club

Inclusivity within STEM education requires the collective efforts of students, instructors, and staff members to make disciplines more welcoming and equitable. Many individuals already recognize the value of having diverse learners and viewpoints but may not be teaching in ways that actually invite a range of viewpoints and experiences into classroom discussions. Additionally, while we may hold an awareness that students’ backgrounds, educational preparation, and early experiences contribute to their advantages in STEM, we may be constructing curricula, grading schemas, and selection criteria for career-advancing opportunities that operate from a deficit model, penalizing our less well-resourced students. This book helps bridge this disconnect by providing resources, recommendations, and reflective questions that help individuals make any course or institutional structure more inclusive.

The School of Science and Engineering (SS&E), in partnership with the Faculty Development Center (FDC), will host a Being Human in STEM book club open to faculty, staff, and administrators. They do not have to be in the School of Science and Engineering – despite the title referring to STEM, this book is applicable across disciplines. This is not just for STEM-affiliated people – those in other areas are vital to the conversation. The book will be provided for free to all participants. Miriam Marx will host the discussions (all meetings in Science Hall 272).

Each session will focus on discussion, reflection, and practical application of inclusive practices in STEM learning environments. Participants will engage with assigned chapters and bring written reflections on the book’s guiding questions to each meeting.  Each chapter of the book includes a set of guiding reflective questions for the reader. The expectation for participants is to have completed the respective chapters and written reflections on the questions in the book prior to the meeting on the chapters.