The Daily Bulletin Archive

Clausell Mathis, M.S., Ph.D. candidate, Florida State University, School of Teacher Education, will present a study on the intersection of students’ culture with physics ideas on Thursday, September 26, at 12:15 p.m. in Bacon Hall 305 (repeated at 4:00 p.m.* in Science and Mathematics Complex 106). Mathis's talk will specifically address the dilemmas a select physics teacher navigates as she develops and attempts to enact a culturally relevant approach to physics instruction. The setting for Mathis was a Title 1 school in the Southeastern United States with a majority African American population. Mathis employed a qualitative case study approach, examining the dilemmas Sarah experienced as she developed and enacted the culturally relevant curricula in the classroom while using the Next Generation Science Standards. Findings show that the teacher showed the strongest indicators of culturally relevant pedagogy through her willingness to address sensitive topics, consistent encouragement of students toward academic excellence, and the ability to adapt curricula to students' strengths. 

*One hour of NYSED Professional Development credit is available to K–12 teachers attending the evening session.