Whiteboarding to Support Mental Health in Stem Classes

Funded Sep 23, 2024

While the STEM field produces some of the highest paying jobs in the US, women, particularly Brown and Black Women, make up less than 20% of the STEM workforce. At UAI, we are on a mission to change this, and you are helping! The most important way we are changing this narrative is by providing a safe environment for students to take risks (anxiety free) while in their STEM classes through whiteboarding. This work is based on the most recent research on STEM instructional practices, which suggests one way to promote risk-taking is by providing students with non-permanent surfaces (such as whiteboards) to express themselves. Research suggests that this method alleviates the anxiety around being "right" or "wrong" and allows students to work together to problem-solve.

I have seen such a difference in our student's work since we received these materials. By donating to our project, you have improved my classroom pedagogy practice and it has made a direct impact on my students. By implementing more whiteboarding in my classroom through the use of these materials, I have seen my student's overall mental wellness and academic success improve. We could not have done it without the materials that you funded and we are so thankful!”

With gratitude,

Ms. Liza