The Science, Engineering, & Technology Education group presents Dr. Catherine L. Quinlan, the Brenda B. Brodie Endowed Chair, School of Education, North Carolina Central University, for a book talk on Black Representation in the Science Curriculum: Implications for Identity, Culture, Belonging, and Curriculum Development.
In this book talk Dr. Quinlan will share her journey and rationale which led her to both focus not only on the science content and science education pedagogies for using the lived experiences and narratives of Black heritage, but also to write about and address predispositions from an individual and societal perspectives. Considering today’s social and political climate, this talk will highlight ideas in Part I of the book which is titled: The Influence of Social Schemas on Belonging, Identity, and Meaningful Inclusion, in which the first four chapters focus on the “why,” “need,” and important topics that influence and challenge belonging and identity for all.
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Dr. Catherine Quinlan is the Brenda B. Brodie Endowed Chair for the School of Education at North Carolina Central University. Prior to that she was a tenured Associate Professor of Science Education at Howard University for over 8 years. While at Howard Dr. Quinlan was funded by the National Science Foundation to create culturally representative STEM curricula and products for the K-12 setting. She was PI for a US Department of Education project where she began a peer mentoring program for students in the introductory biology course. She was also program consultant for the new National Geographic High School Biology Textbook which featured Black and other diverse scientist explorers for the first time in a textbook. Dr. Quinlan is on the advisory board and a curriculum fellow for LabXchange’s Data Science Driven Science Education. She is CEO and Founder of Visibility In STEM which she trademarked.
Prior to entering into higher education full time Dr. Quinlan taught high school biology and chemistry for 16 years and was an instructor for Endeavor STEM Teaching Certificate Project where she taught Life in Space: NASA ISS and Astrobiology to teachers around the United States. She graduated from Teachers College Columbia University with her doctorate in Science Education.
Dr. Quinlan’s academic book was released by Routledge in August 2024 and is titled Black Representation In the Science Curriculum: Implications for Identity, Culture, Belonging, and Curriculum Development. This book is the culmination of almost 20 years of science curricula research. Dr. Quinlan uses her recently launched podcast titled: Learning, for Truth and Love, to advance her work and goals.
