It's Time for Science Podcast Episode 7: Equity in Science Education

This month on It's Time for Science, host Tom Racine talks about equity in science education with Claudio Vargas and Holly Gil.

 

Claudio Vargas, a Science Education Consultant with a focus on Equity in STEM, works with Sci-Lingual Education and FOSS at the Lawrence Hall of Science. He provides keynote presentations on equity in STEM and professional learning experiences for educators in science, focusing on supporting Multilingual Learners with language and literacy development. Mr. Vargas has developed and led numerous professional learning programs throughout California, Washington, Texas, and Central America. Mr. Vargas served as a member of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine committee, which issued the national Call to Action to advance equitable science education.

 

 

Tom talks with Mr. Vargas about working on the committee that issued the national Call to Action, how the pandemic affected education and science, how to help teachers structure a more equitable classroom, the importance of a rigorous curriculum with an emphasis on active learning, and being aware of our own biases, just to name a few of the topics they discuss.

 

Holly Gil, an Instructional Specialist, Science Education/ELD Consultant has trained and mentored hundreds of teachers in the Santa Barbara area. She is a skilled facilitator and instructor and serves as a consultant to schools, districts and nonprofit organizations. Her expertise derives from nearly 30 years of professional experience as a bilingual classroom teacher, science education specialist, curriculum developer, instructional coach and leadership coach. Ms. Gil is currently an Instructional Specialist for Adelante Charter School, a dual language immersion K-6 elementary school. She is an advocate for multilingual students and an English Learner Leadership and Legacy Initiative (ELLLI) Fellow through Californians Together

 

Ms. Gil and Tom chat about supporting teachers as they work to overcome their fears of teaching science and difficulties in working to implement an equitable classroom, how to encourage and help teachers stay committed, the linguistic challenges inherent in the NGSS, how students' excitement can help drive them, and more!

 

Producer David Lippman also reviews the book Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers who Changed the World by Rachel Ignotofsky and published by 10 Speed Press. And we wish a happy birthday to Dr. Patrica S. Cowings!

 

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