UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA Los Angeles Black Pearls: Examining the Science Identity Development of African American Girls in a Culturally Relevant STEM Counterspace A dissertation submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Education by Michelle Renee Smith 2016 ABSTRACT OF THE DISSERTATION Black Pearls: Examining the Science Identity Development of African American Girls in a Culturally Relevant STEM Counterspace by Michelle Renee Smith Doctor of Philosophy in Education University of California, Los Angeles, 2016 Professor Robert Cooper, Chair The science community has an extensive history of exclusivity at multiple stages, including the P-20 education and professional levels. African American girls remain an underrepresented population within the STEM-fields despite their demonstrated interest and aptitude in science. Within the STEM-circuit, African American girls who once showed interest and promise in STEM, are pushed out due to negative experiences within science spaces where many are marginalized and their interests are suppressed. Critical science education scholars have called for culturally relevant pedagogical practices that honor the cultures and experiences of students of color (Emdin, 2010) and science education scholars have led the charge to examine the experiences and identity development of girls of color in science (Calabrese Barton, et al. 2012; Hanson, 2009). This study builds on preexisting work by centering its focus on the science identity development of African American girls within a culturally relevant science counterspace. To ii challenge the dominant discourse concerning their science education experiences, their identity development is analyzed through a critical race, Black feminist theoretical lens. Through a multiple qualitative methods design, this project illuminates the identity development of African American girls within the counterspace by utilizing a three-dimensional model that examines their competence, performance, and recognition in science (Carlone & Johnson, 2007). The culturally relevant curriculum employed within the counterspace allowed participants to learn through their interests and build critical consciousness through engaging in meaningful dialogue concerning the role of race and gender on the underrepresentation of African American women in STEM. iii The dissertation of Michelle Renee Smith is approved. Adrienne Dixson Megan Loeff Franke Tyrone C. Howard Robert Cooper, Committee Chair University of California, Los Angeles 2016 iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ~All great achievements require time. ~ Maya Angelou I would like to begin by honoring my entire family. They have contributed to my educational journey by setting an example of what is possible and by offering me love and encouragement. To my immediate family members who have gone through and supported me throughout each step of this journey and helped me move in and out of apartments from state to state, I cannot thank you enough. Mama, Daddy, Lancie, Natalie, and Matt, you have strengthened me in ways you may not know and have prepared me to take on this task with the confidence that I can do all things I set out to do. You have always been proud of me when I was really wandering in the wilderness and despite my studies keeping me away from home, your acceptance of me pursuing my dream was all I really needed from you to keep going. Special thanks to my Godparents, Aunt Tiny and Uncle Charles Ray and family, and my big cousins Pam, Pinky who watches over us, and Bobby—you each stepped in when I needed you. Anaudia and Devin, you are the source of my smiles. I hope that we can make this world a better place for you. As you go through your own educational journeys, I pray that your zest for life will be appreciated and not misunderstood. Some people have the opportunity to have one supportive family; however, I had the comfort of being a part of many. To the George family, thank you for being my second family by sharing your home and values with me since I was a little girl. My big sisters, Pat and Erika, we’ve come a long way since those kickball games and Vacation Bible School. Your friendship is unmatched. My UH sisters, Keitha, Latoya, and Summer Rose, thank you for being my big sisters since I first moved into Taub Hall. I was afraid and wanted to move back home, but you served as the connection I needed persevere. To my best friends, Muneera and Kamilah, thank you for over twenty years of friendship. To all of your mothers: Mrs. George, Ms. Trina, Mrs. D. Rose, Ms. Sharon, Ms. Diana and Ms. Vanessa, thank you for being my othermothers in your own ways. To those who have gone on to be with the Lord, I love and miss you every day and wish you could be here to celebrate with me in the physical. Aunt Freda, losing you in 2013 is still hard to comprehend, but I have to accept that to be absent of the body is to be present with the Lord. I will continue to be creative and read good books in your honor. v ~ Just remember the world is not a playground but a schoolroom. Life is not a holiday but an education. One eternal lesson for us all: to teach us how better we should love. ~ Barbara Jordan To my committee, thank you for having the confidence in me to complete this project. Dr. Cooper, thank you for investing in me from the very beginning of my journey and for providing multiple opportunities for me to learn, grow, and think as an emerging scholar. Dr. Howard, thank you as well for investing so much in me, keeping me grounded, and for inviting me into the VIPS family. Dr. Franke, you have been a valuable source of encouragement and direction since our first-year RAC and the 299 series. Thank you for challenging me to push through with my plan. Dr. Dixson, my soror, thank you for taking a chance on a young scholar who sincerely admires your work. Your message to us during the research institute at AERA in Philadelphia sparked a similar zeal for my research as the message I received from Soror Cynthia Butler-McIntyre about our sisterhood in 2002. Dr. Rury and Dr. Lisa Wolf-Wendel, I greatly appreciate the firm foundation you set for me at Kansas to pursue a PhD. Without your guidance and support, I would not have seriously considered the academy nor would I have believed that I could thrive. Mr. Wueller and Mrs. Annette Mitchell, you were significantly influential to me as an educator because you showed me what good teaching and high expectations looked like on a consistent basis. ~You don’t make progress by standing on the sidelines, whimpering and complaining. You make progress by implementing ideas. ~ Shirley Chisholm To my VIPS family, thank you for being my Los Angeles family. To my colleague and mentor, Dr. Jonli Tunstall, thank you for setting such an outstanding example for me as a scholar and professional. It was nothing short of a blessing that I was connected to such God-fearing and supportive people like you and Jerry, as He knew what obstacles that were ahead of me and VIPS was my refuge. Kathy, Whitney, Aaron & Bree, I love how our friendship has continued to grow since we have each gone on to pursue our dreams. Soror Leslie Poston, thank you for coming through for me and putting the “Ms. Poston” touch on my work. Ashley and Miguel, thank you for your support when I defended—it mattered. To Cohorts 1-11 and future VIPS cohorts, know that you represent what is possible when those committed to social justice stand up and reach back, therefore you are also expected to do the same for the next generation. My fellow emerging scholars in the struggle from UCLA, we have been charged to carry the torch. Brian, Benny, Maritza, and Nicole, there is so much knowledge, experience, and camaraderie between us as a group. I could not have asked for a better group of friends to travel along this journey with. Doctora Nichole Garcia, yes, this summer will certainly go down in the books. Thank you for being my scholarly kindred spirit. Dr. Katina Thomas, my soror, thank you for being my mentor and my cheerleader throughout the last five years. Mr. Devin Moss, thank you for rescuing me back in Kansas—you set a high bar for grad school friends. To my cousin, Dr. Alvin Curette, thank you for being my guidance counselor. vi Kansas and UCLA were perfect fits and without your direction, I could have missed out on these great institutions. ~ Is solace anywhere more comforting than that in the arms of a sister. ~ Alice Walker There is a special group of sistas who I have grown significantly closer to over the last two years. Throughout this time, we have prayed for each other as we each endured tragedies and celebrated each through our triumphs. Thank you for inviting me in and for rooting me on. To my Delta sorors, the late Mrs. June Dickson, the Zeta Sigma Chapter, Keitha, Tara, Melody, Taisha, LaToya, and Spring ‘02, thank you for being an integral part of my life throughout the years, holding me accountable, and setting the example of exemplary sisterhood, scholarship, and service. I am because we are. ~ But can you expect teachers to revolutionize the social order for the good of the community? Indeed, we must expect this very thing. ~ Carter G. Woodson To my education family from Thomas, Cullen, and Spirit, each of you have taught me things that I have carried with me as an educator. Kay, thank you for being such a selfless friend and for showing so much investment in making sure I completed my dissertation.