Encouraging Equity with the New Science Education Standards for Tomorrow

Prince George's County Public Schools Embrace STEM Equity

In Maryland's Prince George's County, the local public schools are making strides in promoting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education, with a particular focus on equity and inclusivity.

Dr. Godfrey Rangasammy, the K-12 Science Supervisor for the district, and Jessica Leedy, a high school literacy coach, were recently honoured with the Innovative Leader Award for their efforts in this area.

Rangasammy is a strong advocate for bringing in STEM experts from the city to inspire students, especially those of the same race and ethnicity. He believes that seeing people who look like them working in the field can be a powerful motivator.

The district's STEM initiatives start early, with Pre-K being considered the ideal time to spark excitement and curiosity about science. Research shows that Black and Brown preschoolers are often marginalized, and Rangasammy emphasizes the importance of starting equity efforts at this stage.

The district has been working towards STEM equity for over a decade, focusing on equitable access to teachers, curriculum, and instructional best practices. Addressing gaps in curriculum and pedagogy through external audits and connecting with experts is critical, according to Rangasammy.

One innovative approach in the district is the use of Ninth-grade students growing live mussels in tanks in their classrooms. This hands-on project allows students to check and analyze data on factors like pH, temperature, and dissolved oxygen, providing a practical application of scientific principles.

The district has also embraced phenomena-based learning, connecting it to real-world situations. For example, students study the nearby Chesapeake Bay ecosystem, allowing them to understand the importance of their local environment.

Collaboration with staff and teachers is key in the district's STEM equity effort. Rangasammy emphasizes the importance of building capacity among teachers, as many may have had only a few basic science courses in their education.

The district's STEM equity effort originally started with an internal assessment, focusing on improving engagement with NGSS-aligned textbooks, phenomena-based learning, hands-on activities, and connecting with STEM professionals in the district.

To engage marginalized populations, the district has started STEM Fridays during summer school, featuring hands-on activities such as coding and robotics. The district's annual science fair also encourages participation from STEM organizations and provides scholarships.

Rangasammy believes that the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), adopted by the district in 2013, focus on supporting marginalized populations and meeting kids where they are, from pre-K through 12. He stresses that there's no price on curiosity, as it crosses all socioeconomic groups.

The organizations collaborating with Prince George's County Public Schools in holding the annual science fair, now in its 76th year and one of the oldest in the USA, were not specified in the provided search results. However, the focus has been on making NGSS-aligned content, student achievement, and career and college readiness.

Through these initiatives, Prince George's County Public Schools are working to ensure that all students, regardless of their background, have equal opportunities to succeed in STEM fields.