Theses and Dissertations

Date of Award

5-2024

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

Curriculum & Instruction

First Advisor

James Jupp

Second Advisor

Laura Jewett

Third Advisor

Angela Chapman

Abstract

This paper is about leveraging cultural ways of knowing such as ethnobotany in order to increase STEM engagement in Chicanx populations. The conceptual framework utilized in this study combines social justice, Chicana feminist epistemology, land-based pedagogy, critical place-based pedagogy, pedagogical praxis, pluralism and ecological sustainability to achieve this end. Four pre-service Chicana science teachers provided testimonio from their elder assignment and engaged in two focus groups in order to identify relevant themes that impact Chicana engagement in STEM. Major themes identified were challenges in bilingual education, elder knowledge as a form of pedagogy, stagnation in common science teaching practices, tensions between lived experiences and traditional science teaching, and leveraging community support. We need a paradigm shift in science teacher preparation that must include cultural factors to promote Chicanx connection with STEM content.

Comments

Copyright 2024 Patricia Ramirez-Biondolillo.

https://go.openathens.net/redirector/utrgv.edu?url=https://www.proquest.com/pqdtglobal1/dissertations-theses/escúchame-mi-ciencia-cuenta-leveraging-cultural/docview/3085439012/sem-2?accountid=7119

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