College of Humanities
44 An Activity to Increase Interest in STEM Among Historically Underrepresented Students
Gabrielle Desjardins (University of Utah)
Faculty Mentor: Catherine Goodman (Writing and Rhetoric, University of Utah)
Abstract
In today’s society, occupational opportunities relating to science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEM) are increasing. Unfortunately, there is an unequal representation of minorities in STEM-related occupations. In an article written by Jennifer Gunn from Concordia University, she explains that the unequal distribution of people of color in the workplace begins in the grade-school setting. Children of color are less likely to be exposed to STEM in their classrooms, ultimately contributing to their disinterest in pursuing STEM-related careers in the future (Gunn). This lab report outlines an experimental procedure to transform a mixture of milk, vanilla extract, and sugar with rock salt and ice into ice cream. The students will use observational techniques to see that lowering the temperature will cause the mixture to change from a liquid to a solid state. The experiment explores the transition and cause of transition between the three states of matter. The purpose of this lab report is to provide a low-cost activity to instructors and to make STEM more accessible to minority students, so there is an equal opportunity for everyone.
Introduction
A significant number of occupational opportunities originate from the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Unfortunately, there is a gap in the number of minorities in the STEM field. According to Jennifer Gunn from Concordia University, about 70% of the STEM occupation population are white men or women. She attributes this disparity to how minority children are underexposed to STEM in their grade-school years (Gunn). One possibility for underexposure is inadequate funding from the State Board of Education. Without proper funding from the state to perform STEM activities, the teacher would be financially responsible for the entire experiment, and they may not have the resources either. A second reason for underexposure is that the instructors do not have adequate training in STEM. This lab report proposes a way to counteract these challenges by providing explicit instructions for a low-cost experiment. Consequently, instructors can expose their students to STEM in an engaging, fun, and inexpensive way.
An essential concept to grade-school education is the three states of matter. An experiment to turn this concept into an interactive learning experience is to make ice cream using milk, sugar, vanilla extract, ice, rock salt, and plastic bags. The first objective is to educate students on the three states of matter. An applicable example is placing ice (a solid) into a pot on a heated plate. The ice will melt into water (a liquid). Continuing to apply heat will cause the water to boil and emit steam (a gas). The second object