Your central research question EXAMPLE Are robotics programs

Your central research question? EXAMPLE: Are robotics programs at the local high schools in Hawai‘i promoting equitable STEM learning for both males and females? Presenter’s Name

The context for your research question • What is the central debate? • Where does it take place? • Who does it specifically impact (nationally and locally)?

A definition of any key terms essential to understanding your central debate EXAMPLES: • “STEM” = Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math” • “gender bias” = a preferential treatment of males over females or vice versa.

An overview of 2 main arguments surrounding your question EXAMPLE: • 1. Robotics programs at the HS level in Hawaii and gender enrollment #s (male & female) • 2. Robotics programs at the HS level in Hawaii and the curriculum

Main argument #1: Robotics programs not equitable due to unequal #s • The current proportion of males to females in the HS robotics programs in Hawaii is 7 to 1 (MLA citation) • As John Lauer writes in the Journal of Robotic Science: “ The ratio for a successful and equitable HS robotics program should be as close to 1 as possible” (Lauer 10).

Main argument #1: Robotics programs are still fair in spite of enrollment #s • According to a recent article by Michael Smith in The Journal of Engineering, the national enrollment numbers in most HS robotic programs across the U. S. are close to 20 (males) to 1 (females). (MLA Citation) • Thus, Hawaii far exceeds the national average!

Main argument #2: The curriculum in Hawai’i’s HS robotics programs enforces gender bias • A recent Star Advertiser article reports that girls were called upon only ½ as often as their male counterparts in the robotics classroom. • Female students also reported feeling discouraged from exploring STEM concepts on their own (MLA Citation)

Main argument #2: The curriculum in Hawai’i’s HS robotics programs does not enforce gender bias • According to the book STEM in Hawai’i females in the robotics classroom actually reported feeling highly encouraged to experiment with key STEM concepts (MLA Citation) • As John Doe points out in an article in The Journal of Science Education, “an effective curriculum in the STEM classroom is one that provides multiple opportunities for male and female students alike to experiment with key STEM concepts (both inside the classroom and on their own)” (Doe 17).

Summary + Taking A Side • The central debate centers around whether the enrollment numbers and curriculum within Hawaii HS robotics programs indicates gender bias. • Moving Forward: BIAS DOES EXIST AND IT MUST BE CHANGED

Works Cited List all references in MLA Works Cited page format here: