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PSB3002 – Nelson – Module 0 – Extra Credit Case Study Worksheet

All questions must be answered to earn full credit. Partial work is graded with the posted rubric.

Kindly consider using a different color for your answers to help with grading workflow.

This case study has 16 required questions and 2 required videos.

Name:

Part I – What is Diversity and Does STEM Have Enough?

1. What group holds the greatest proportion of STEM jobs?

2. What proportion of women hold STEM jobs? What about men? Show your math!

3. According to 2016 United States census data, women represent 50.8 % of the population. Thus, do the percent of women in the STEM field accurately represent the percent of women in the population? By how much do they differ? Show your math!

4. Which ethnic groups exhibits the least representation (do not use the “other” category)? As of 2016 Black people represent 13.3 % of the population while Hispanic (Latinx) people represent 17.8 % (2016 census data). Thus, does the representation of these groups accurately represent their proportions in the population?

Part II – Does Diversity Matter in STEM?

1. In your own words, define diversity.

2. Explain in your own words why diversity helps promote excellence in science.

3. What are some examples of bias that were revealed in the video?

4. Dr. Cabreza introduced two problems that can make it more difficult for members of underrepresented groups to succeed in STEM: socialization and institutional bias. In your own words, define both terms. Explain why both socialization and institutional bias can serve as hurdles to individuals from underrepresented groups who may be interested in a STEM career.

Part III – So How Do We Fix the Problem?

1. What obstacles did you identify in the video that made it difficult for Ms LePoint to succeed? Are any of those obstacles specific for sex, race, gender or another identity?

2. Ms. LePoint described three steps to achieving success. Describe those steps.

3. Explain the term mathaphobia, then explain how that term might apply to you as a STEM student. Also, does it only apply to math?

4. In the video, Ms. LePoint described how she transitioned from a failing student to one who eventually became a rocket scientist. Why was her mindset so important to her success? How did her mindset change?

Part IV – How is STEM Changing?

1. As of 2014, what percentage of the population did women represent in the social and biosciences? Do you think these fields, as opposed to other STEM fields, did something specific to address underrepresentation, or is it the nature of the field, content knowledge, and potential careers that are responsible for this shift, or might it be both?

2. Why do you think other STEM fields are still so male-dominated?

3. Examine Figure 3 ( see PDF). What is the general trend in terms of degrees earned among minority groups? Given that minorities represent more than 30% of the population, should faculty members and industry leaders in the STEM field be satisfied with this trend?

Conclusion

1. Upon completion of this case, do you feel any differently about your identity or ability to persevere in STEM?