Grade level:
9-10Approximate Lesson Duration:
2 blocksUnit/Lesson New Jersey Student Learning Standards (NJSLS):
Science and Engineering Practices addressed:
- Asking questions (for science)
- Developing and using models
- Analyzing and interpreting data
- Constructing explanations (for science)
- Engaging in argument from evidence
- Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information
Cross Concepts addressed:
- Patterns
- Cause and effect
- Systems and system models
Brief Summary of Cultural Competencies Related to the Unit/Lesson:
What makes this lesson culturally relevant?
Studies have identified correlations between children’s stereotypes of scientists, their science identities, and interest or persistence in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. It is critical to ensure students are exposed to non-stereotypical images of scientists as well as being able to identify knowledge of actual scientists.
Lesson Overview:
What are the qualities of a good scientist?
Does the field of science benefit from diversity?
How can the science field be more inclusive?
People who have chosen a STEM career may have been exposed to an experience from their childhood that sparked their interest or from a lesson in school.
Only students good in math or science should choose a career in STEM field. All people have the same access to opportunities to pursue a STEM career.
Learning plan, experiences, intstruction and learning activities:
What is Expected?
- List the intentional learning objectives on the board.
Students will be able to:
- Describe the qualities of a good scientist
- Research and develop an argument for diversity in STEM fields
- Research a company and create a plan for a company in STEM fields to be more inclusive?
Today we will be working on…
What is expected?
How will we hook (Introduce this to) the students?
- Activate thinking
- Consider the language you will use to introduce the lesson (See example in the table)
Link to Engagement
Recently, we…
Turn and talk to a partner about…What does a scientist look like? Do?
You are really beginning to understand __________________. Today, we’re going to dig deeper with a new focus. This focus is…
Put students in small groups of 3-4
Ask them the following questions and ask them to discuss in groups
Draw a scientist doing science ? _ Have students draw a picture/describe
- What do scientists do? _Have students label drawing
- Where do they work? _Have students make list
- Why does someone become a scientist? _Have students make list
- What makes a good scientist?_ Have students make a list
Ask students to hang their posters.
Direct students to do a wall walk and review their peers’ posters.
Ask groups to reconvene and share a common themes they noted in posters.
Teacher should display pictures of 10-15 historical scientists and describe their contribution.
- https://www.famousscientists.org/popular/
- https://www.noglstp.org/publications-documents/queer-scientists-of-historical-note/
- Discuss obstacles in pursuing a science career someone may face.
- Post pictures and share their contributions to science. Teacher introduces the ideas of inclusion and diversity in science fields.
What equipment, resources, or materials are needed?
Poster paper, markers, tape
Teacher created display of scientist (PowerPoint, Google slide)
How will we rethink or revise our thinking throughout the lesson?
- What learning is confirmed?
- What misconceptions are uncovered?
- What is your new thinking?
Teacher facilitate a Q&A discussion. Share students’ answers on:
- What does a scientist look like?
- What do scientists do?
- Where do they work?
- Why does someone become a scientist?
- What makes a good scientist?
How will students self-evaluate and reflect on their learning?
Ask students in their group to define “diversity” and “inclusivity”. Have groups share their answers.
In groups, have students develop identify on what steps in the science fields– a company, research lab can take to be more inclusive?
As class create a class a set of norms to ensure inclusivity in science class.
Ask students in their group to define “diversity” and “inclusivity”. Have groups share their answers.
Introduce activity and article(s). Students can be grouped by same article discussion and share out or there can be one copy of each article in each group.
Have students can read one of the following articles independently:
- “Moving Towards Inclusion” https://www.sciencemag.org/careers/2015/12/moving-toward-inclusion
- “Out of the Closet, into the Lab: Five LGBTQ Scientists Share Their Stories” https://www.mskcc.org/blog/out-closet-lab-five-lgbtq-scientists-share-their-stories
- “Diversity in STEM: What It Is and Why It Matters” https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/voices/diversity-in-stem-what-it-is-and-why-it-matters/
- “What’s deoxyribonucleotide in sign language?” https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-49057331 (watch videos)
Students should read the text silently, highlighting it and writing notes in the margin or on sticky notes in answer to the following 4 questions (you can also add your own “A”s). Students should discuss the following questions with their groups.
- What Assumptions does the author of the text hold?
- What do you Agree with in the text?
- What do you want to Argue with in the text?
- What parts of the text do you want to Aspire to (or Act upon)?
Search for a scientist on social media in a field you would like to learn about. Reach out the scientist and interview them via Skype, Google Hangout or another teacher approved method.
Interview questions should be approved by teacher ( 10 questions minimum).
Post a reflection/summary of your interview on Flipgrid. Comment on 2 peers’ reflections.
How will we tailor learning to varied needs, interests, and learning styles?
Students will be able to research their own scientists to share with the class and choose the format to display/share their class norms.
How will we organize the sequence of learning during the lesson?
Scaffold the Instruction
Model: Teacher will display and discuss scientist.
Guided Practice: Students will work in groups to identify traits of scientist with guiding questions
Independent Practice: Student can do Extend activity.
Check for understanding:
Q&A Teacher directed
Group discussion – teacher observe and provide feedback
Student posters
(attach copy of assessment)
—
(attach rubric)
Discussion rubric
Supplemental Resources:
- https://www.nextgenscience.org/sites/default/files/Appendix%20F%20%20Science%20and%20Engineering%20Practices%20in%20the%20NGSS%20-%20FINAL%20060513.pdf
- http://teach.ufl.edu/resource-library/inclusivity-in-the-classroom/
- https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/lgbt-physicists-face-discrimination-exclusion-intimidation/
- https://www.sciencemag.org/careers/2019/06/now-i-know-i-m-not-alone-study-highlights-challenges-lgbtq-workers-stem-face
- https://www.500queerscientists.com/
- https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/05/opinion/manil-suri-why-is-science-so-straight.html
- https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/what-a-scientist-looks-like/
- https://iamsciencestories.tumblr.com/
- https://blogs.plos.org/absolutely-maybe/2017/03/06/how-to-guide-help-find-missing-scientists-faces/
- https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2017/3/11/14873706/photos-women-scientist-nih
- https://blogs.agu.org/sciencecommunication/2011/07/20/why-scientists-use-twitter/
- https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/full/10.1086/BBLv222n2p85
- https://betterlesson.com/lesson/622531/what-does-a-scientist-look-like
- https://schoolreforminitiative.org/doc/4_a_text.pdf
- https://medium.com/@priyology/diversity-inclusion-in-science-a-reading-list-a45cea40b972
- https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-018-05326-3
- https://www.noglstp.org/
Download Lesson Plan PDF:
