the student, the brain, and, like, why would i want to be a scientist anyway? dr. tara ebersole the...

The Student, the Brain, and, Like, Why Would I Want to be a Scientist

Anyway?

Dr. Tara EbersoleThe Community College of Baltimore County Professor of Biology and STEM

Liaison

ActivityO List every positive attribute of

adolescents that you can!

O List every negative attribute of adolescents that you can!

You said…

You said…

“Experts” said the positive traits are:

O PassionateO ExuberantO StrongO SmartO EnergeticO SocialO Risk takers

“Experts” said the negative traits are:

O ImpulsiveO UnmotivatedO Emotional O AggressiveO Lack self-controlO PerplexingO Risk takers

Developing brain structures:

O Parietal lobes – logic and spatial reasoning

O Temporal areas – language

O Cerebellum – motor coordination

O Frontal lobe – judgment, reasoning, impulse, motivation

Anatomy - Neurons

Functional cells of the brainDendritesOThe receiving branches of the cellAxonsOThe transmitting extensions of the

neuron (surrounded by myelin)SynapseOThe gap between the axon of one

neuron and the dendrites of another.

Physical Processes of Learning

OBrain nerve cells, or neurons, grow and develop new connections as we learn.

OThe brain is considered “plastic” and can change in shape and structure

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDrd22R4btI

Brain Plasticity:

O Change in shape and structureO Both genetically and environmentally

determinedO Growth volume peaks in adolescence and

prunes back to adult size

Evolutionary theories:OBrain is preparing for reproductionORisk taking – to encourage adolescent

males to leave nest.OFaster female maturation – acceptance

into women’s circle to learnOSlower male maturation – to allow

learning to occur with father before seen as a competitor.

OSleep patterns – good vision and strength to protect tribe.

Neurotransmitters:

O Glutamate – stimulatesO Dopamine – reward

and pleasureO Emotional response –

to amygdala rather than cortex

Decision makingRequires input from multiple areas of the brain and includes more than logic…

O Social interactionO Emotional associationO “Oh Shit!” circuit

(actions that lead to negative consequences)

O Fear of failure

Emotions and LearningO Impact of “micromessaging”.

A micromessage is a small, sometimes unspoken and unconscious message that is sent and received many times a day.

“Eliminate the Negative; Accentuate the Positive”, Sandra Bell

What are the micromessgaes?

What are the micromessages?

What does a scientist look like?

Micromessaging

O Like a Girl Video

Activity: Activity: STEM Facts QuizSTEM Facts Quiz

O You can cheat on this quiz! Ask your neighbor what they think… Look at each others papers… Look things up…

O You have 5 minutes to estimate the missing number for each statement. Ready, set, go!

STEM Facts QuizSTEM Facts QuizO Maryland ranks ___ of states having the highest

concentration of STEM jobs.O From 1950-2000, the overall workforce grew 150%

and the STEM workforce grew _____. O ____ of US undergraduates are majoring in STEM.O While females perform as well in science and math

and take as many STEM courses as males, they represent only _____ of the overall STEM workforce.

O African-American males receive ____ per cent of degrees in science and technology and _____ per cent of degrees in math and statistics.

O ___ per cent of STEM college graduates started at the community college.

STEM Facts - AnswersSTEM Facts - Answers

O Maryland ranks 3rd of states having the highest concentration of STEM jobs (behind WA and VA).

O From 1950-2000, the overall workforce grew 150% and the STEM workforce grew 669%.

O 16% of US undergraduates are majoring in STEM.O While females perform as well in science and math and

take as many STEM courses as males, they represent only 26% of the overall STEM workforce.

O African-American males receive 1% of degrees in science and technology and 4% of degrees in math and statistics.

O 44% of STEM college graduates started at the community college.

What can be done…O Emphasizing a “growth mindset” –

the brain can changeO Recognizing that students’ brains are

still developingO Educate parents on brain

development, the need to support your student and stay involved in his/her academic life.

STEM Career videosSTEM Career videosPositive emotional associations and micromessages…

Why STEM?What do you want to do - STEM Careers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bnMBhO0LnU

Did You Know: STEM Edition

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8twBGoGRqc&feature

STEM is Cool

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfeBQxmx1kY

STEM Career videosSTEM Career videosScienceO Career Profile - Wildlife Biologist

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJ5LKMoNFRoTechnologyO Careers in Music Technology

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7woVKKjLhcEngineeringO Explore for More Careers - Civil Engineer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eiAYjKCRpJsMath O Careers for Math Majors

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okjggCtQDUE

ne

Spatial SkillsO Many historical scientific discoveries have been linked to well-developed

spatial skills.

O Well-developed spatial skills have been shown to lead to success in: Engineering and Technology Computer Science Chemistry Computer Aided Design Mathematics

Spatial Skills

O A 1985 study at Michigan Tech determined that a student’s score on the PSVT:R was the most significant predictor of success of eleven variables tested in engineering graphics

Race and Gender Disparity

Race Male Female

African American 67% 46%

American Indian 75% 67%

Asian American 78% 64%

Hispanic 81% 62%

Multiracial 81% 68%

White 82% 69%

“The brain is wider than the skyFor put them side by side

The one with the other will containWith ease and you beside.”

Emily Dickinson

Questions?

Contact Information

Tara Eisenhauer Ebersole, PhD443.840.5948tebersol@ccbcmd.edu