MY STEM STORY ONLINE
Learning and working in science is exciting and full of unknowns. Young people who are engaged in science have ideas about their possible selves in science. It helps them to identify choices they may need to make to remain committed and to consider potential roadblocks along that path. The authentic experience of near peer mentors can provide students role-modeling and strategies to apply to their own future pursuits.
Student Self-Directed Online Program
The My STEM Story Online program leads students through a cohort-based, self-directed exploration of their interests, values, motivations, and possible future pathways in science.
Small groups of students or whole classes can go through this program in five 1-hour sessions. Teachers can support students and carry some of the reflections and ideas in the program into whole classroom discussions.
Features
Reflection prompts throughout the modules
Videos of authentic lab-based mentoring with near-peer students
Narrated instructional videos to reinforce messages from each module
Self-paced content that students personalize to their own lives and contexts
Modules Overview
Module 1: Why Does Science Matter?
This session starts by examining our preconceptions about science, featuring two videos. The first introduces eight high school and undergraduate students involved in the "My STEM Story" project, where high schoolers shadow university students to learn about science. They discuss the importance of science and the necessary skills for it.
The second video highlights conversations between mentors and mentees about key scientific skills, offering high school students new perspectives to consider their own strengths in science.
Module 2: Seeing myself in the Far Past, Near Past, Near Future and Far Future
The My STEM Story Online program leads students through a cohort-based, self-directed exploration of their interests, values, motivations, and possible future pathways in science.
Small groups of students or whole classes can go through this program in five 1-hour sessions. Teachers can support students and carry some of the reflections and ideas in the program into whole classroom discussions.
Module 3: Facing Difficulty: Positive and Negative Forces
In this session, students will reflect on their previous class's imaginings. They will watch a video featuring a mentor and mentee discussing both positive and negative aspects they encountered while pursuing science during high school and college. The students will be prompted to consider the positive factors like role models and support systems that contribute to their success, as well as negative elements like distractions and doubts that might hinder their progress in science.
Module 4: Pathways to the Future
This session focuses on students contemplating their personal timelines, goals, potential obstacles, and strategies for perseverance in science. They will learn from the experiences and approaches of other students featured in the My STEM Story video. Students will also reflect on the importance of their current actions for their future selves, acknowledging that while the future is uncertain, what they do today significantly impacts their progress and success in the upcoming years.
Module 5: Science as an Act of Service
In the concluding session, students will explore the relationship between science, their community, and the wider world. They will reflect on their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic and other instances where the significance of science was highlighted. By considering issues in their community that concern them, students will connect these issues to their potential future roles in science. The goal of this module is to align students' values with their interests and potential careers in science.