TEAM-UP Discussion

Agenda

1. 10:33-10:40
a. Introduction/Vocabulary
2. 10:40-10:57
a. Breakout groups!
3. 10:57-11:00
a. Closing
Goals

1. “Peeling back layers”

a. Asking the question: “Why are things the way they are?”

2. Getting to know each other: our perspectives,

experiences, and questions.
a. This is a super important, vast conversation, and it helps to know
what perspectives are out there.
Vocabulary

● Physics Identity
○ How one sees oneself with respect to physics as a profession,
which evolves with one’s perceptions and navigation of
experiences with physics including recognition by others.
● Self-efficacy
○ Beliefs about one’s ability to accomplish a task with skill and
competence. Self-efficacy assumes the ability to advocate for
oneself in order to collect the resources (pertinent information;
new skills; social, physical or financial capital, etc.) needed
to accomplish a task.
Vocabulary Cont.

● Imposter Syndrome/Phenomenon
○ The belief that past accomplishments and demonstrations of skill and
competence are attributed to luck rather than hard work and growing
capabilities. Students experiencing imposter phenomenon often think
that their experience is unique, leaving them feeling isolated and
eventually alienated from the learning community.
● Stereotype Threat
○ The debilitating cognitive load caused by fear that one’s performance
on a specific or extended task (e.g., an exam or whole course) could
confirm a negative stereotype about an identity group to which one
belongs. Stereotype threat manifests as anxiety and distraction that
interfere with intellectual functioning.
 Time to Discuss! (Woohoo!)

...but a quick reminder first.

These conversations require grace. Everyone is entering in

with different backgrounds, different experiences, different
privileges, and different setbacks. Words are already hard
enough, and even more so when navigating challenging (and
maybe unfamiliar) concepts. Give grace to your
sister/brother in Christ, and also to yourself.And trust
that others in the conversation will listen and give you
grace too.
Discussion Questions:

1. How does culture/tradition/ideologies portray the *ideal* or

*normal* scientist in your experience? Why/how?
2. What are you not seeing in science and science education? (Think
perspectives - historical and present - resources, etc. For
example, in your high school, were there SAT/ACT prep options
for low income students? Stuff like that.)
3. How does science humanize and dehumanize in its history,
practice, and culture? (In other words, how does science
celebrate and empower the uniqueness of human beings in creation
and how, in its attempt to categorize and explain, does it lead
to potentially dangerous ways of thinking about people?)