CREATE for STEM Science Seminar Series: Jomo Mutegi

Socially Transformative STEM Curriculum: What it is and why African American students need it

Abstract: David Pratt points out that the primary goal of a socially transformative curricular approach is “liberation—developing student’s maximum capacity for choice.” This presentation begins with an examination of the modern context in which the curriculum of African people is enacted. From there, I argue that a socially transformative STEM curriculum is ideally suited for meeting the needs of children of African descent. This argument includes both descriptions and examples of socially transformative STEM curriculum. The presentation concludes with suggestions for research, as well as directions for K-12 and post-secondary practice.

About the speaker: Jomo W. Mutegi is an associate professor of science education in the School of Education at Indiana University, IUPUI. His research agenda, which addresses the science teaching and learning of people of African descent, consists of three lines of scholarship. In the first line of scholarship, he explores students’ science knowledge with specific attention to understanding how racialized experiences help to shape that science knowledge. In the second line of scholarship, he explored racism in student-teacher interactions to determine the degree to which race bias inhibits the science preparation of people of African descent. In the third and most central line of scholarship, he frames as educational praxis. Herein, he works to use science education as a tool for improving African and African American communities.

Dr. Mutegi currently serves on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Research in Science Teaching (NARST). He is the co-director for the STEM Educational Research Institute at IUPUI. In addition to NARST, he is also an active member of the American Educational Research Association (AERA) and the Institute for the Study of the African American Child (iSAAC). He was recently recognized for his commitment to diversity by receiving the 2016 Chancellor’s Diversity Scholar Award.

Refreshments will be served at 11:45 a.m. Please RSVP by Monday, April 25 to Olga Lami-Scimizzi (olga1@msu.edu).

This presentation will be followed by a one-hour discussion with graduate students and post-docs in Room 115 Erickson Hall at 1:20 p.m. If you are interested in meeting with Dr. Mutegi, please message Angie Calabrese-Barton (acb@msu.edu).

This speaker is part of the CREATE Seminar Series. For more information, visit:http:create4stem.msu.edu/seminar-series

Sponsors: CREATE for STEM Institute

Audiences: General Public, College of Education Faculty, Staff, and Students