Undergraduate Mentors’ Perspectives on Equity-Oriented STEM Outreach

• DOI: 10.24908/pceea.vi.15842
• Publication Date: 2022-11-11T05:04:44Z
• Authors: Callum Sutherland; Aida Mohammadi; Jeffrey Harris
• Keywords: Mentorship; Foregrounding; Outreach; Equity

This paper explores undergraduate mentors’ perspectives on, and participation in, “Bringing STEM to Life: Work Integrated Learning in Physics” (BSTL), a work-integrated, equity-oriented outreach program administered by the kindergarten industry (k2i) academy at York University’s Lassonde School of Engineering. To that end, this study brings Feminist Science Technology Studies critical pedagogy bear on three-phase methodological approach generating analyzing qualitative data pertaining mentorship component BSTL. Preliminary findings suggest (1) mentors bring complex motivations, shaped intersecting marginalized identities, their duties; (2) possess nuanced yet occasionally contradictory understandings STEM, equity, society; (3) experiences BSTL are variable but positive. These programs can expand capacity generate equitable outcomes actively supporting creation counterspaces, foregrounding equity training, exposing theoretical society.