Fall 2017 HSTEM Course
This fourth iteration of the special topics course in the fall of 2017 marked the growth of the HSTEM course. In the beginning of the semester, the facilitators held an introductory meeting for students so that they could learn more about the course and register. The course had 17 students and 5 faculty/staff facilitators. We developed and worked on 4 different projects we believed were critical in expanding the HSTEM initiative and spreading the inclusive environment across STEM departments at Amherst and beyond. We conducted in-depth research in these topics and created posters summarizing our results, which we presented in a community-wide Salon on December 12, 2017.
Read more about each project and see the outcomes below.
Read more about each project and see the outcomes below.
Project Descriptions
Expanding/Deepening HSTEM Interventions at Amherst College
Although we have made progress in our 3 semesters of the HSTEM course, there is further work to be done (other departments, more work in our science curriculum, etc.) This might include (but is not limited to): assessing current HSTEM curriculum integration project in intro courses, compiling and disseminating information about resources in response to what we've learned about student experiences, introducing HSTEM practices and conversations to departments, faculty and students who are not yet involved, developing and testing new ideas for interventions, etc.
Documenting/Archiving HSTEM Story and Artifacts
A common challenge for grassroots initiatives is recording and sharing the work that is being done. This group's work might include (but is not limited to): designing and developing an archive of HSTEM artifacts and other relevant materials, starting a documentary using that archive material and video footage from previous HSTEM events and shooting new footage of HSTEM practices in action, interviews with HSTEM alum, faculty and staff, creating a timeline of the history of the sciences and mathematics at Amherst college (with attention to milestones in diversity and inclusion), redesigning the HSTEM website to be a more effective tool of engagement, etc.
Engaging Stakeholders Beyond Amherst College
In 2020, Amherst College is hoping to host a conference to share the work of HSTEM and provide clear pathways for other campuses to get involved/contribute to the initiative. The conference will convene teams of faculty/students/staff focused on inclusion and transformation work at institutions of higher education with a goal to forge a larger community network. This group's work will largely focus on developing a strategy to ensure student representation in the planning of the conference. This may include coordinating with other student groups (student senate, affinity organizations, etc.) to establish an organizing committee, examining partner institutions and other national models, working with the administrative group of HSTEM to draft grant proposals, outreach to the broader higher ed STEM community via social media and other forums, etc.
Supporting Engagement of Elementary School Aged Children in STEM
Working with Professor Purdy and Professor Jeong in Amherst Biology Department, you will develop 1-2 age-appropriate science activities for late-elementary age kids. Over the semester, this team will learn about designing activities for this age group that support science learning and encourage interest in STEM, develop activities based on best practices in the field, and present them to kids in the local community. Possible topics include plant biotechnology and GMOs, symbiotic microbe/host relationships, or the human microbiome.
