With the assistance of work-study students, preferably themselves from underrepresented groups and who have just completed the core STEM courses of biology, calculus, chemistry and physics, we will compile a database of STEM scientists from underrepresented groups whose work is directly related to topics in the first-year curricula. A profile of each scientist will be constructed which will include some personal information (e.g. place of origin, degrees, current position etc.) and a brief description of their research with a few references to it. These profiles will form the content of an open access database for use by instructors.
Outcomes
Instructors of first-year STEM courses will have access to the database from which to select appropriate materials to feature on course websites and/or incorporate into their lectures and class discussions. It is hoped that the availability of this database will encourage instructors to feature more scientists from underrepresented groups in their classes. As well, it is hoped that use of this database by instructors will contribute to the achievement of the project’s ultimate goal which is to help foster a sense of belonging and a science identity amongst STEM students from underrepresented groups.