Beyond Cultural Responsiveness: Elevating African American STEM Education through African-Centered Models

Abstract

Researchers posit that the way science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) are taught to African Americans contributes to their underrepresentation in the STEM fields. STEM educators are increasingly utilizing culturally relevant pedagogy, culturally responsive teaching strategies, and culturally sustaining pedagogy to engage the African American STEM learner. However, these techniques are limited in addressing the holistic development, healing, and needs of African people.[1] This essay advocates for the use and study of a new educational model titled African-centered STEM education (ACSE). The authors contend that this model is effective for African American STEM learners and African people and benefits society as a whole. This essay includes an overview of the culturally relevant pedagogy framework and its variations, an explanation of the ACSE model and its advantages, and descriptions of implementations of the ACSE model and their outcomes.