Morgan studies efforts to initiate Black students toward science
Posted on: Saturday, 8 March 2003, 06:00 CST
Morgan studies efforts to initiate Black students toward science
source: Associated Press Science News
New research conducted at Morgan State University challenges the effectiveness of current educational "intervention" efforts used to steer Black students into science and science-related careers. Typically, intervention programs have sought to generate African American scientists by providing tutoring programs. Yet, according to Dr. Brandford F. Lewis, these programs have traditionally focused on students' understanding of science content and offered little information about how to pursue their personal career goals.
"I found evidence to suggest that schools, parents and community agencies need to better inform African American students about the nature and variety of science careers that are available to them," says Lewis, an assistant professor in Morgan's doctoral studies in mathematics and science education program. "Students who want to pursue careers in science will do so if they understand how to further their career goals. Grasping science content alone is not enough. Very few African American students have interacted with a molecular biologist or paleontologist. They are not aware that so many options exist," Lewis adds.
In order to promote an interest in science careers among African American students, Lewis and his collaborator, Dr. Angelo Collins, executive director of the Knowles Science Teaching Foundation, assert that students need to do the following:
* Distinguish between careers in science (such as research biologists, biochemists, biotechnologists) and careers in science- related fields (such as nurses, pharmacists, physical therapists. lab snecialists):
* Understand the broad work that science professionals perform. For example, some scientists are lab-based, while others are adventurers. Scientists can even be journalists and choose to write about science or science fiction;
* Have access to practicing scientists and practitioners in science-related fields.
Copyright Cox, Matthews & Associates, Inc.
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