Earlier today I attended the Equity Through STEM session presented by Jerry Valadez and Retiring NSTA President Juliana Texley. The discussion was intriguing—not only did they share the history of multicultural initiatives within NSTA, they talked about the disparity in the availability of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) courses to students.

I was surprised to learn there are schools that do not allow students to participate in science classes until they meet benchmarks in other areas. As Texley pointed out, if you pull students out of science class to provide remedial instruction in other subjects, you are effectively telling them that science is not for them. How do you get children interested in science when they’ve never had a chance to explore? If you don’t get them interested in early in their education, the chances of inspiring these students to pursue careers in the STEM fields aren’t great.

A great discussion followed with attendees sharing their experiences—as former students and as current teachers—and talking about the need for mentors with whom students can identify and support from colleagues and administrators alike when trying to improve/increase science education opportunities in struggling schools. Looking around that room and thinking of all the different people—spanning ethnicities, genders, countries of origin, and income level— I’ve met at NSTA conferences over the years, I think it’s clear a lot of progress has been made from the old stereotype of science as a field only for white men. However, it’s just as clear a lot more needs to be done to ensure future generations know science is for anyone and everyone.

The Multicultural Equity Share-a-thon will be held tomorrow (Saturday) at 2 p.m. I’m eager to see what sort of targeted resources and strategies will be featured.

I started my Flat Stanley-esque campaign of #LilHil to chronicle my trip to the NSTA National Conference on Science Education in Nashville … I figured EVERYONE was tired of seeing me in a selfie… so I made a Flat Patty or Little Hillyer aka #LilHil (I’ve gone back and forth with #LilHil and #LilHill… that does make a difference).

#nsta16 #nashville via https://t.co/uhlzd67Inw pic.twitter.com/MtYcRPb0hP

— Patricia Hilton (@MsLilHil) March 27, 2016

Tag, Tag, Tag

In documenting my trip I decided on a whim to tag the airline…. never in a million years did I expect the responses.

#LilHill ready 4 take off @United @nsta #NSTA16 #Nashville here I come @pj_Simon #itouchthefuture pic.twitter.com/CuuNdmnuOM

— Patricia Hilton (@MsLilHil) March 30, 2016

@iHillyer Are you a photon? Because it looks like you're traveling light. Have a great time! ^JD

— United Airlines (@united) March 30, 2016

Many tweets later… I was still laughing at how witty the person tweeting from United was!

@iHillyer I bet his real name is Adenine because he looks pretty happy to be paired with U. Keep sharing LilHil's adventures with us. ^JD

— United Airlines (@united) March 30, 2016

Ok, last one (but there are more on my twitter feed!!!)

@iHillyer Oh, it must just be the genes I'm wearing today. ^JD

— United Airlines (@united) March 30, 2016

Funny/Important Lesson to Share with Students

All jokes aside, it is extremely important that you realize that someone or some people are reading your social media accounts and posts. And once they’re out there… there’s no eraser large enough to undo them. Choose wisely. Please promote this concept with your students too. Social media safety is no joke.

Why do you want to get involved in social media? And by social media I’m talking about teacher Facebook page, Twitter, or Instagram accounts, not personal ones. You can cheaply and rapidly promote student successes. This is the number one reason why. Promoting success breeds more success. Students love to see themselves. Not self promoting but promoting students, which is what it is all about.

It promotes literacy! You tell a story. My students are following my experiences online. They get to hear what Nashville is like, the people, the food, the music.

Great source of teacher professional development… ask a question, hashtag #scienceEd or #edchat or tag @nsta …

Before you do anything, check your school’s or district’s social media policy, and be sure you know if parents gave permission for photos to be shown online before promoting student work.

So I think I figured this whole thing out. Ok, not really, but it sounds good… #itsahillyerthing

Shameless Plug ALERT…

Follow me on Twitter:
@iHillyer

Instagram:
@mrshillyer

And in the comments, please let me know how you are using social media, because after all, it’s about sharing, and I love to learn from my social media PLN.

The mission of NSTA is to promote excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all.

Future NSTA Conferences

2016 National Conference

• Nashville, March 31–April 3

2016 STEM Forum & Expo

• Denver, July 27–30

2016 Area Conferences

• Minneapolis, Oct. 27-29
• Portland, Nov. 10-12
• Columbus, Dec. 1-3

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