“Inclusion is a right, not a privilege for a select few.”

-Oberti v. Board of Education

Inclusivity and accessibility for all are not only important but necessary. Students have the right to be included and provided with the necessary resources for STEM education. With the proper guidance, success can be found despite any obstacles!

Groups Often Excluded From STEM

Kids With Disabilities

There are about seven million students with disabilities in the US, making up about 14% of schools. They are oftentimes excluded from STEM activities at school because it is seen as unimportant for them to learn. However, research shows that early involvement in STEM for students with disabilities leads to improved performance in other academic subjects as well!

Low-Income Students

Low-income students are underrepresented in STEM since they do not have access to the same resources that students of a higher economic standing do. They cannot easily afford computers or access the internet, and most likely live near schools of lower quality and financial state. This lack of support then causes them to fall behind in their education.

Success Despite Obstacles

Stephen Hawking was told as a young adult that he would only have two years to live after getting diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. This disease caused him to eventually lose his ability to both move and speak but left his intelligence unaffected. Despite these barriers, he pushed on to live for over fifty more years! In that time, he made groundbreaking scientific discoveries, wrote many books, and became the greatest scientific figure of our generation!

Ada Lovelace, a woman in the 1840s, is considered to be the world’s first computer programmer! She came up with the Analytical Engine, an algorithm designed to carry out a sequence of mathematical operations, in a way similar to the modern computer. Now, every second Tuesday of October is called Ada Lovelace Day, on which contributions of women in STEM are honored!

It is estimated that over 9 million students do not have at-home internet access in the United States. In response to this, some schools in lower-income areas took the initiative to install free WiFi on buses and leave them at certain places overnight. They would also then provide students with an iPad that they could take home. This accommodation allowed for students to not fall behind in their education and gave them the opportunity to succeed in STEM!

Inclusivity and Accessibility  at GearMinds

We at GearMinds believe that every student should be given the opportunity to succeed in STEM learning. From having female instructors to an accommodating environment for all students, we strive to be as inclusive as possible. We want to help your child by providing them with resources that allow them to dream big!

Check out our available programs today!

Conclusion

Inclusivity and accessibility in STEM education for all are not only important but necessary. The opportunity for every child to indulge themselves in STEM is crucial because each and every one of them has the ability to change the world. If important figures like Stephan Hawking and Ada Lovelace let their obstacles stop them from reaching their full potential, our world as we know it would be greatly impacted. Provide your child with the proper resources today at GearMinds!