What is the finding?
The National Association for Research in Science Teaching (NARST) announced that a recent publication in the Journal of Research on Science Teaching authored by MagLab education director Dr. Roxanne Hughes had been chosen for a national Research Worth Reading award. The publication - “‘It is What it Is”: Using Storied-Identity and Intersectionality Lenses to Understand What Shaped a Young Black Woman's STEM Identity Trajectory” - focused on the science identity trajectory of a SciGirls’ alumna, Marie (a pseudonym). The Research Worth Reading award is given to three papers among all those published in the Journal of Research in Science Teaching during the past year, chosen for presenting the most significant implications for science educators and practitioners. The authors received their award at the annual NARST conference in April 2023.
MagLab SciGirls Building an Electromagnet
The study highlights the importance of both formal and informal institutional structures that can act as bridges or barriers to Black women and girls’ persistence in science and math fields. In recounting her experiences, which include the MagLab’s SciGirls summer camp and a high school internship at a Historically Black University, Marie referenced seeing other girls who looked like her and educators and mentors who supported her scientific curiosity and successes. These stories of recognition provided memories that helped her persevere in moments of self-doubt.
This award will boost readership of MagLab educational research to further inform science teaching practices, a major goal of the MagLab’s Center for Integrating Research and Learning
Who was involved?
A. Ibourk1, R. Hughes2, and C. Mathis3
1Florida State University; 2National MagLab 3Michigan State University
Funding
This research was funded by the following grants: G.S. Boebinger (NSF DMR-2128556)
