Fostering Equity in Science Education via the Next Generation Science Standards

In Maryland's Prince George's County, a decade-long effort to promote equity in STEM education has been gathering momentum. With over 130,000 diverse students, the district adopted the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) in 2013 and has since been working tirelessly to ensure that STEM education is accessible to all.

At the heart of this initiative is Dr. Godfrey Rangasammy, K-12 Science Supervisor for the district, and Jessica Leedy, PGCPS high school literacy coach. Their commitment and dedication have earned them the Innovative Leader Award.

The focus of this equity effort has been on equitable access to exemplary teachers, science/STEM curriculum programming, and instructional best practices. Dr. Rangasammy, leading the charge, emphasises the importance of building capacity among teachers, acknowledging that many may have had limited science education.

The district's STEM initiatives aim to support marginalized populations and meet students where they are, from pre-K through 12. Recognising the importance of early intervention, Rangasammy believes that Black and Brown preschoolers are marginalized and that pre-K is the ideal time to start all students down the STEM path.

The district's approach involves phenomena-based learning, hands-on activities, and creating opportunities to connect with those working in STEM fields. Ninth-grade students, for instance, grow live mussels in tanks in their classrooms for hands-on learning about various factors.

External audits and connecting with experts are critical to address gaps in curriculum and pedagogy. In addition to making sure content is NGSS-aligned, the district has emphasized student achievement and career and college readiness.

Collaboration with staff and teachers is essential in the district's STEM equity effort. The district encourages the study of local phenomena, such as the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem, in a hands-on learning context.

To engage students, particularly those from marginalized populations, STEM Fridays during summer school were introduced. Featuring hands-on activities such as coding and robotics, these sessions have proven to be a hit.

The district's annual science fair, one of the oldest in the nation, encourages participation from STEM organisations and provides scholarships. Bringing in science experts from the city to show students people of the same race and ethnicity in the district is another key aspect of the initiative.

Dr. Rangasammy emphasises the importance of fostering curiosity, believing that there's no price on curiosity and that it transcends all socioeconomic groups. The district's efforts reflect this belief, creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all students to explore and learn about STEM.