This dissertation explores the role of classroom culture in shaping equitable student experiences and outcomes in science education, and examines how curricular structures might further reinforce equity. Here, equity in science education means supporting student identification, belonging, "and" learning in science, with particular…

Artificial photosynthesis is a promising approach to generate commodity chemicals using abundant chemical feedstocks and renewable energy sources. Despite its importance, affordable and effective hands-on classroom activities that demonstrate artificial photosynthesis and teach key concepts, especially for primary school students, are lacking.…

Despite advances in inclusion and access to the general curriculum for students with disabilities at large, students with extensive support needs (ESN) continue to receive instruction that is disconnected from the general curriculum and general education peers. One area of the general curriculum that students with ESN have historically lacked…

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore how equity-oriented pedagogy infused with Making activities promoted five non-dominant middle school youths' attitudes toward science in an after-school program in the Midwestern United States. The researchers conducted pre- and post-interviews with five students from non-dominant…

Science fairs have been around for decades, yet their critics question the extent to which parent involvement shapes students' investigations and creates inequitable experiences. Parent involvement in the science fair has been viewed as objectionable by parents themselves. However, research has shown that parent support can play a vital role in…

This work aims to examine how science teachers ensured equity during the COVID-19 pandemic. The participants are six science teachers who were teaching in different middle schools within the Lisbon district. Their classes were heterogeneous, with students from different socio-economic backgrounds and ethnicities, and with diverse levels of…

Rural students often face challenges in receiving high-quality education in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Yet without meaningful STEM educational opportunities, rural students might not develop the knowledge and skills needed to compete in a technology-driven workforce. The Learning by Making program (LbyM), an innovative…

This three-manuscript dissertation used a rapid PDSA to improve teacher efficacy concerning designing and teaching an unleveled 9th grade science class. Leveling and tracking can lead to inequitable outcomes and experiences for minoritized students. However, designing and implementing effective heterogeneous, unleveled classes that meet the needs…

THS is applied to Science High Schools, Social Sciences High Schools, Anatolian Technical Programs of Vocational and Technical Anatolian High Schools and Project schools for student selection. With THS, approximately 10 percent of more than one million students are placed in a secondary education institution based on their preferences. The purpose…

Long-standing calls have been initiated to attend to equity in student achievement in and through science. Science teacher educators can aid these efforts by identifying effective science teaching strategies and supporting K-12 science teachers in integrating those into their practice. Scholars argue for an equity-driven lens to be central in…

Situated learning experiences such as research apprenticeships can help connect girls to the sciences, ultimately helping to achieve gender equity in the science workforce. The material resources available in research apprenticeships--such as research equipment, field gear, etc.--may be particularly consequential for building identification with…

Supporting student interest in science is critical for broadening participation in the field because interest, even more than achievement, is associated with pursuing future science education and careers. In this study, we explore the conjecture that equitable classroom cultures can support interest in science. Specifically, we examine the idea…

Background: To inform STEM education for benefiting emerging bilingual (EB) and English fluent (EF) students, the present study evaluated the order effects of integrating science and arts within a large-scale, ongoing effort investigating the efficacies of Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)-aligned Science Technology, Engineering, and Math…

This study examined the ways in which an equity analytics tool -- the SEET system -- supported middle school science teachers' reflections on the experiences of diverse students in their classrooms. The tool provides teachers with "equity visualizations" -- disaggregated classroom data by gender and race/ethnicity -- designed to support…

Science classroom assessment often requires multilingual learners to demonstrate ideas using only English-language resources. These assessments can provide an incomplete picture of students' knowledge and limit subsequent learning opportunities. Increasingly, science teachers are incorporating translanguaging pedagogies in their instructional…