Lack of STEM funding in hispanic communities leading to barriers in STEM professions

Write what’s called an “Op/Ed,” which is a short persuasive essay that aims to convince non-expert readers that there is a science-relevant problem that needs to be solved, and to convince your audience to take specific action that you argue is necessary to help solve that problem.  For the Op/Ed essay, you need to identify a standpoint (the point of view from which you see the issue), identify a science-relevant issue that faces a community you want to serve, and use your standpoint to construct an argument that convinces your readers that the problem is significant and that your proposed action is vital to addressing that issue in that community. Compose a 3 page (double-spaced) Op/Ed essay in which you clearly outline your standpoint, identify and contextualize a science-relevant problem, and propose specific action.  You will draw from course materials from Units 2 and 3 as appropriate to support your argument, and you will include supporting material from at least two sources you find through research.  Before you write, you need to identify three things: your standpoint, a problem that has a significant scientific dimension and is relevant to your standpoint, and an action that would help to solve this problem.  

WHAT I’M CHOOSING TO TALK ABOUT: 

Topic: “Lack of STEM funding in hispanic communities leading to barries of STEM professions”

The main problem: The STEM funding in Hispanic communities 

Main Stakeholders: 

• The primary stakeholders affected are students

• Policymakers and educational leaders have the power to influence educational policies 

Why does this topic matter to you? What is your own standpoint/point of view from which to make your argument?

• Professional Responsibility, educators have the responsibility to not only teach but to advocate for their students 

• My Standpoint is influenced by a strong belief of equity 

4 Sources in total: 

2 Outside sources: 

https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED502063.pdf this is about the problem

https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED605691.pdf this pdf is about solving theproblem

2 sources from class:   Pdf is provided for both of these 

• Riegle-Crumb et al _Does STEM Stand Out_      

• PBS host of _Eons_ disrupts stereotypes of who can be a scientist

• Take note: your solution needs to come with action.  For example, if you’re advocating for building strong objectivity as a solution to your problem, great — but what does that look like in action?  What is something specific you could ask people to do to create stronger objectivity, in relation to your problem?

So please think of an action that would help to solve this problem.  

Write your Op/Ed GUIDELINES:

• Format and Guidelines:  You can arrange your paragraphs in any order you see fit for this assignment, but you need to follow these general guidelines, some of which are explained in this video that we watched in class https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TN89KNTPQI

• Links to an external site.

1. Each paragraph should be no more than 4 sentences long, and each paragraph needs to fulfill a particular job:

• Clearly identifying your standpoint and relating it to the specific issue you are focusing on

• Clearly describing the issue you identify, who it impacts, and how it has negative impacts

• You should quote and paraphrase relevant course materials when describing your problem and you should provide statistics or other supporting evidence from research in the scientific databases that supports your description of the problem and its impacts (see below)

• Make sure you are clear about stakeholders and the community you are aiming to communicate to and serve 

• Clearly defining a solution and action, and persuading your readers that they should take this action

• You should quote and paraphrase relevant course materials when describing an action, if relevant; if your proposed action is supported by outside research, you can include it (see below)

2. Use short, declarative sentences, no jargon unless explained for a non-expert, and active voice.  You can use “I” as much as you want! 

3. Cite your sources.  Instead of hyperlinking, as the video above suggests, provide in-text and full citations in either MLA or APA format, whichever you prefer. 

•  Include your own experience as evidence: your standpoint matters, as do the experiences you have had or witnessed in your communities.  How does your specific experience give you expertise and authority to convince your readers that they should listen to your perspective? 

• Provide proper in-text citations and a Works Cited page citing all four of your sources in the citation style of your choice (MLA, APA, etc).

MAKE SURE TO QUOTE