Case Studies on Diversity Inspire Faculty at Biennial Conference on Chemical Education Education
Katherine Friedrich

A lively case study workshop on inclusive teaching took place at Purdue University on August 2, when University of Wisconsin -Rock County chemistry professor Nilhan Gunasekera presented at the Biennial Conference on Chemical Education (BCCE).

The workshop, "Resource development for graduate TA training in inclusive teaching," used CIRTL's Marie Louise Moreau case study, which describes differing perceptions of prejudice in a chemistry laboratory, to introduce educators to the resource book Reaching All Students: A Resource for Teaching in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics .

CIRTL's case book, Case Studies in Inclusive Teaching in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics , contains complex one-page scenarios written to reflect the subtlety of real situations instructors may face. "The scenarios were very realistic," Gunasekera said.

The event was part of the CIRTL Diversity Team's outreach program, which focuses on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) publications and events. The team's typical presentation begins by using demographic statistics - followed by a case study or student testimony - to create awareness of the importance of inclusive teaching.

"For a lot of them, a light bulb went on," Gunasekera said. "They were relating to it." In fact, the only challenge Gunasekera faced was in keeping the enthusiastic participants on track. "They were so engaged in the case that that it was difficult to get them to incorporate the resource book in their solutions," he said.

"The other thing that was striking for me was that. everyone wanted a copy of the material," Gunasekera said. At the end of the workshop, several participants invited the Diversity Team to present at their own universities.

This presentation was "a good way to expose this material to a national audience," Gunasekera said. "BCCE is the most prestigious conference for chemistry professors who are interested in educational issues."

September 13, 2006

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