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(June 15, 2012) It’s naturally hard for students to see themselves in STEM careers that they don’t know exist. And low-income and minority students, in particular, may worry that they don’t have the background knowledge and tools they would need to be successful in a STEM field. Carole Henry is a Pre-AP chemistry teacher and runs a chemistry club for students in a low-wealth high minority high school. She describes the kinds of activities her students are doing to explore their curiosity in chemistry and see new options for their future. Carole is interviewed by Nilka Avilés, Ed.D. Send comments to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . Sign up to receive free e-mail notices when new episodes are available.

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See resource links and show notes. (12.8 MB; 00:13:52 min.)

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Resources

The Need for Minority High Schools with a STEM Focus
by Nilka Avilés, Ed.D., IDRA Newsletter

Diversifying the STEM Pool – Revisiting the Recruitment of Underrepresented Students in STEM Careers
by Paula Martin Johnson, M.A., IDRA Newsletter

Expanding Underrepresented Minority Participation – America ’s Science and Technology Talent at the Crossroads 
National   Academy  of Sciences. 

IDRA South Central Collaborative for Equity

Related podcasts

Creating a STEM Focused School Part 2 – May 14, 2012

Creating a STEM Focused School Part 1 – April 13, 2012

Principal on Creating a College Going Culture – March 24, 2011

Creating Dynamic Math Classrooms – September 8, 2010

Teaching Opportunities through Discovery on Science – May 19, 2008

Fostering Gender Equity in the Classroom – March 23, 2007

Access to Higher Levels of Mathematics – May 30, 2007

Show Notes

* Carole explains the importance of building confidence in Hispanic students in STEM classes and inspiring them to pursue STEM careers.

* Carole talks about helping both students and parents to overcome the misconception that low-income and minority students can’t be successful in STEM fields.

*  Carole shares examples of teachers and administrators supporting STEM initiatives at Southwest High School .

* Carole discusses some of the partnerships that community organizations and local businesses have formed with the school around the STEM fields.

* Carole talks about the ways that parents are supporting their children in activities in the Chemistry Society.

Show length: 13.52

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