Stefanie L. Marshall, assistant professor of science education in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, has been named to the ad-hoc committee on equity in preK-12 STEM education organized by the National Academies. There were 350 nominations submitted for the committee and 15 people were selected.

The committee will examine the evidence base related to educational equity and STEM education, plan a series of regional field engagement sessions, and develop recommendations and a research agenda for the field. The committee will follow up with a report that discusses how systemic inequity in STEM education can be addressed at all levels of the PreK-12 system to promote success in STEM for all students, regardless of background, demographic status, and community.

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine are private, nonprofit institutions that provide expert advice on some of the most pressing challenges facing the nation and world. By bringing the rigor of a National Academies’ consensus study process to this critical issue of STEM education equity, the project will provide actionable recommendations for education policy and program stakeholders.