How Culturally Aware Teaching Draws Students to STEM

June 25, 2019 • Zach DiSchiano

How Culturally Aware Teaching Draws Students to STEM

A unique program at the University of Houston is aiming to help STEM educators provide more culturally responsive teaching for female and minority students.

According to an article from the Houston Chronicle, the LEAD Houston program offers a student-focused teaching philosophy that makes learning more relatable and engaging for students from diverse cultural backgrounds and educational experiences. The program looks to improve outcomes for students who are underrepresented in STEM fields, which typically are women and students of color.

A 2018 Pew Research Center study explored the disparities between female and minority populations and their presence in STEM jobs and found:

  • African Americans make up 11 percent of the U.S. workforce overall but represent 9 percent of STEM workers
  • Hispanics comprise 16 percent of the U.S. workforce but only 7 percent of all STEM workers
  • Women generally fill 50 percent of STEM jobs but are underrepresented in computer and engineering jobs

To learn more about the program, visit the University of Houston website.


Zach DiSchiano is a communications specialist at TASB HR Services. Send Zach an email at zachary.dischiano@tasb.org.


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Tagged: Diversity, "Teacher training"