We'd like to share a recent STEM activity that was hosted by USC Joint Educational Project's STEM Education Programs. Recently, this program selected our Global Skin Tone Magic Stix for their launch lesson, which is designed to encourage students to express their ideas about what a scientist looks like. This initiative not only fosters creativity but also emphasizes diversity, representation, and social justice in STEM education.
"These markers, designed to reflect a wide range of human skin tones, were ideal for fostering inclusivity and representation in our educational activities. These markers are not only inclusive in terms of color variety but also feature a triangular design that prevents them from rolling off the table, making them occupational therapy (OT) friendly.
We used these markers with many of our elementary students for a pre-test in our STEM programs, specifically during the Draw-The-Scientist-Test (DAST). The DAST is a valuable tool in assessing students' perceptions of scientists, often revealing biases and stereotypes. By providing students with these diverse skin tone markers, we aim to encourage more inclusive portrayals of scientists, aligning with our goal of promoting diversity in STEM fields.
This partnership with The Pencil Grip ensures that our students can creatively express their ideas and see themselves represented in the scientific community from an early age, helping to reshape perceptions and broaden aspirations."
By Dr. Dieuwertje "DJ" Kast
