Real-Life Role Models Engage Students in Science and Open the Door to Exploration in Class and Beyond

Despite the fact that science, math and technology are ubiquitous in everyday life, many students don’t know what scientists do, how scientists work, or who makes a “good” scientist. If you ask students to draw a picture of a scientist, most will draw a man that looks like Albert Einstein, working alone in a lab wearing a white lab coat with a pocket protector.

To dispel such stereotypes and fuel student interest in science, America’s first woman in space Dr. Sally Ride founded a company that provides cutting-edge programs and content on science careers, presenting science — and scientists — in a whole new light. In addition, the Sally Ride Science™ programs help teachers answer one of the most challenging questions students ask: “Why do I need to learn this?”

Connecting Science to the Real World

Research has shown that connecting science to the real world is an effective strategy for engaging students in science and math. Showing the relevance of science can stoke students’ curiosity and sustain their interest in science — a critical challenge schools face today. On the 2005 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) science test, only 29 percent of the nation’s fourth and eighth graders, and only 18 percent of 12th graders scored at or above the Proficient achievement level.

“The challenge isn’t getting children interested in science. It’s keeping them interested,” said Ride, president and CEO of Sally Ride Science. “Our mission is to help parents and educators improve science education and to encourage children, particularly girls, to go on to careers in science, math and technology — or at least to explore the vast opportunities in these fields. Introducing real-life role models is an effective teaching strategy to engage students in science and to inspire them to think about their futures.”

Through its publications and programs, Sally Ride Science presents diverse role models that students can relate to, and that open students’ eyes to the wide range of possibilities in science.

These examples not only dispel stereotypes of scientists, but encourage students to pursue their interests in science.

Exploring Science Careers in the Classroom

The Sally Ride Science Classroom Set on Science Careers brings to life the inspiring personal stories of current day scientists and engineers. Developed for upper elementary and middle school classrooms, this Classroom Set includes eight copies of four unique titles on exciting careers in earth, space, health and environmental sciences. The Classroom Set can also be expanded with additional Career Books focusing on engineering and aerospace.

Through these books, students learn what scientists do, how they got there, and why they enjoy it. Each reader includes personal photographs of the scientists at work and at play, and activities that encourage students to think about their own interests and futures.

“It is so important to bring diverse role models into science instruction and show kids real scientists — who look like them — doing real things,” said Ride.

By incorporating science role models into instruction, teachers can easily demonstrate to students the vast array of exciting careers that utilize science, math and technology — from astrobiologists to medical illustrators and from earthquake seismologists to wildlife officers. In addition, teachers can show students how science relates to other disciplines, such as writing or sports or math, to deepen learning.

Exploring Science Careers with Staff Development Programs

To help teachers integrate these topics into their instruction, Sally Ride Science offers a symposium for educators in grades six through nine on science, mathematics, engineering, and technology (STEM) careers. The half-day staff development session focuses on the wide variety of STEM careers, the many paths to becoming a scientist, and the vibrant men and women involved in science today. It gives educators tools for encouraging students to think about their interests and future careers, and for mapping out their short- and long-term goals. It also provides educators with inquiry-based, hands-on activities that can be used in the classroom.

Exploring Science Careers with Out-of-School Programs

Providing students with role models outside the classroom is important as well. Each year, Sally Ride Science holds Science Festivals around the country to bring together hundreds of girls in fifth through eighth grades for a day of science and socializing. Each festival features discovery workshops with local scientists such as veterinarians, astronomers, microbiologists, chemists and engineers. At the festivals, girls have the opportunity to listen to inspiring talks and do hands-on science with scientists. For example, girls can work with a chemist to make their own lipstick, or extract DNA from a strawberry or make a bracelet based on their own DNA.

In addition, Sally Ride Science offers after school programs for students in grades five through eight. One of the semester-long curriculum programs, Toy Workshop, offers students the opportunity to become young engineers as they design their own toy. Through the workshop, students build a number of important skills including teamwork, brainstorming, communicating ideas, visualization, designing on paper, 3-D construction, researching, and testing and refining ideas.

Building Science Skills and Life Skills

“Encouraging student interest in science has never been more important,” said Ride. “Science, math and technology play a greater role in our lives than ever before. Students who have a solid foundation in these areas are prepared to pursue a wide range of exciting opportunities in high school, college and beyond.”

Whether or not students decide to explore a science career, science skills are an essential part of everyday life.

“Science is a way of understanding our world. It’s all about asking questions and searching for answers,” said Ride. “Many of the skills students use every day are the skills of a scientist — observing; asking questions; gathering, interpreting and sharing information; and coming up with new questions. These are important skills to have, no matter what career a student chooses to pursue.”

About Sally Ride Science

Sally Ride Science is an innovative science content company dedicated to fueling girls’ and boys’ interests in science, math and technology. Dr. Sally Ride, best known as America’s first woman in space, founded the company in 2001 to create quality programs and products that educate, entertain, engage and inspire. Our programs include Sally Ride Science Festivals, TOYchallenge, Educator Institutes, summer camps, and after-school programs. Our publications include award-winning science books, science career books, and innovative Classroom Sets to supplement science instruction. Our publications and programs bring science to life and show kids that science is creative, collaborative, fascinating and fun.  For more information go to www.SallyRideScience.com or call 1-800-561-5161.