Introducing Diverse Chemists in Chemistry Courses
Kate R. Ries, Zachary L. Mensinger
Abstract
In undergraduate classrooms, a majority of chemistry discoveries introduced are by white men and a small group of white women. There is greater online representation of chemists of diverse backgrounds, but the emphasis on diversity is mainly based on a monthly theme from Black History Month to Women’s History Month. The “Diversity in Chemistry” website (https://sites.google.com/view/diversityinchemistry/) is meant to be a collective online resource and a valuable tool for the classroom. Students were introduced to chemists of diverse backgrounds through PowerPoint presentations at the beginning of class. Students completed pre- and postsurveys to measure their awareness of diverse chemists, how these stories impacted their learning, and their interest in further knowledge. Data and feedback from surveys shows that sharing diverse chemists’ stories can have a positive effect on students across the curriculum.