STEAM+ Hybrid Event: Practicing Inclusion and Belonging throughout the K-16 STEM Ecosystem with Dr. Robyn Ruttenberg-Rozen

"Inclusion" is a ubiquitous term in education. The term proliferates policies, documents, professional development, curricula, and media. Yet, despite its wide use, there is no one definition for inclusion. Subsequently, there is often a mismatch between intention and understanding. Added to this, “(q)uestions about how we should include appear to be displaced by questions about why we should include and under what conditions” (Allan, 2007, p.4). This means that we have been very strong in convincing people that inclusion is important in education, but not in showing them how to include in educational spaces. In my work, and what I will discuss in this talk, I look at the complexities of inclusive practice in K-16 education environments as it intersects with STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education practice. If inclusion is complex, it is a wicked problem embedded in STEM learning environments where other variables like STEM identity, exclusionary culture, ability judgments, intersectional identities and achievement all come (clash?) together. In this talk, I will first explore inclusion, and discuss the affordances of moving from a conception of inclusion to a conception of belonging. I will then take you through the K-16 STEM ecosystem discussing considerations for inclusion and belonging using highlights from my research.

Presentation by Dr. Robyn Ruttenberg-Rozen, PhD (she/her), Assistant Professor, STEAM Education, Mitch & Leslie Frazer Faculty of Education, Ontario Tech University 

Event Details: 

February 27, 2025
1 - 2:30 pm 
Education Library, Duncan McArhur Hall or online

Questions: 

steam@queensu.ca