A need exists to diversify the optometry field in the United States. Males reflect 50.4 percent of the profession and approximately 97% of optometrist professionals are White and Asian1. This paper will describe Imhotep Academy’s program model, implementation efforts, and preliminary findings of the “Imhotep Academy: Optics of the Eye” session designed to promote optics content, optometry careers, engagement with diverse professionals within the field, and optics hands-on experiences to ethnically and racially diverse middle school students. The paper will analyze students’ awareness and knowledge of optics, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, their proficiencies, and innovations in the optometry field that impact personal health outcomes as well as parent data. Lastly, the paper will provide findings related to students’ self-reported 21st-century learning skills, future STEM engagement in school, and career aspirations. Informal science outreach programs have been found to develop students' awareness and knowledge of STEM careers.
This paper will describe the curriculum development process employed to develop a solar cell and photonics curriculum unit for students underrepresented in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields. Information will explain how the curriculum unit was piloted with middle and high school teachers from public schools in North Carolina, high school students from underrepresented groups in an informal science program, and workshop settings. Measures used to develop the curriculum materials for middle school students will be presented along with program findings documenting students’ urban versus rural interest in STEM, career aspirations, and 21st century learning skills in informal learning settings.
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