The Science of Broadening Participation in STEM: A Symposium Discourse Analysis

Abstract

The 2016 Symposium on the Science of Broadening Participation (SoBP) was a major event held in recognition of the need for an assembled and curated body of knowledge ready for use for effective policy development and implementation in relation to broadening participation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. Accordingly, analysis of Symposium communications—the presentations, discussions, and other interchanges among participants—was conducted to determine foundations and content for delineating the parameters and potential of an effective SoBP, especially as regards the development of a diverse, encompassing, and dynamic STEM workforce. Critical issues regarding frameworks, data and metrics, education, and workforce were identified and discussed for SoBP development and application, along with policy directives. In addition to general recommendations, areas for further study, such as community, also were indicated for SoBP consideration and expansion.

Latino STEM Scholars, Barriers, and Mental Health: A Review of the Literature

“…One possible explanation is that as Latino/as move up economically, their tolerance for discrimination decreases-the result being that repeated exposure to discrimination leads to higher health costs (Araújo & Borrell, 2006;Molina & Simon, 2014). Scholarship on STEM occupational fields (Anderson, 2018;McNeely et al, 2018) has found that they are generally viewed as unwelcoming for several populations. Anderson (2018) states, Roughly six-in-ten black STEM workers (62%) say they have experienced any of eight specific forms of racial or ethnic discrimination at work, from earning less than a coworker who performed the same job to experiencing repeated, small slights at work.…”

“…For example, "Black STEM workers (41%) are also more likely than Hispanics (26%) or whites (6%) who work in these fields to say they've faced two or more of these forms of racial or ethnic discrimination in their workplace" (Anderson, 2018). The lack of diversity and inclusion is among the many themes that emerged within initiatives to "broaden the discipline," which include collecting data on underrepresentation in STEM and access to this area of the occupational structure (McNeely et al, 2018).…”

“…There is a growing academic interest in understanding how fields like STEM experience inequities and barriers to access and participation (DeCuir-Gunby et al, 2009;Ganly et al, 2018;Lease, 1999;Ma & Liu, 2015;McNeely et al, 2018;Villanueva et al, 2018). Scholars have started to explore the workload and emotional costs that come with working in STEM fields in academia, specifically.…”

Construction Management Technology Students Choice of Major

“…Interestingly, they also found that having paid/voluntary work experience and father's support/encouragement as the most influential aspects for choosing CM. Despite the advancements, the link between choosing CM as a major, selfefficacy, and career goals is critical to provide both academia and educators insights on a dwindling construction labor pool [1], [19], [20].…”

“…This dilemma is prominent in the National Science Foundation (NSF) initiatives aimed at "broadening the participation of underrepresented minority (URM) groups in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) [1]." STEM occupations are increasing at a rapid pace and, despite a limited talent pool, offer a great career opportunity and earnings potential.…”