Perseverance of Black Males in the 21st Century STEM Classroom An Autoethnography of a Black Male STEM Teacher by Donald G. Prier, II, BS, MAE A Dissertation In Curriculum and Instruction Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of Texas Tech University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Approved Dr. Jeong-Hee Kim Chair of Committee Dr. Dave Louis Dr. Walter S. Smith Dr. Mark Sheridan Dean of the Graduate School May 2021 Copyright 2021, Donald G. Prier, II Texas Tech University, Donald G. Prier II, May 2021 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to first thank God, the Almighty, for his blessings throughout this research work that enabled me to complete this autoethnography dissertation successfully. I would like to express my deep and sincere gratitude to my research supervisor, Dr. Jeong-Hee Kim, Committee Chairperson and Chair for the Department of Curriculum and Instruction here at Texas Tech University. I am very thankful for Dr. Kim’s outstanding job leading our research group through these challenging times when it seemed that our country was falling apart; her positivity and caring attitude kept our spirits high! Additionally, I would like to thank Dr. Walter S. Smith, committee member and Dr. Dave Louis, committee member, both for providing invaluable guidance throughout this research. Under these three individuals, I have learned how to express my own dynamism, vision, and motivational techniques in a writing style that was foreign to me – they have deeply inspired me. It was a great privilege and an honor to work with them over the past few years and through the time of this COVID-19 pandemic. I would also like to thank the students that I profiled for this dissertation. Because of this project, I found myself reaching out many of them, some of whom I had not been in contact with since the 1990s. Our brief conversations aided in the richness and quality of my recollections for this dissertation. Without these students, this work would not exist. ii Texas Tech University, Donald G. Prier II, May 2021 Just the same, I would also like to thank all of my Black and White male STEM colleagues who were available to discuss this endeavor, especially fellow Phi Beta Sigma fraternity brother Edward Patterson. His counsel and editing suggestions were invaluable. I am extremely grateful to my parents, and my younger brother and sister for their caring love, prayers, and sacrifices during a tenuous time throughout this journey where the economy was impacted by COVID-19. I would also like to thank them for aiding in ensuring accuracy in the rich details I provide in this work. I would like to thank Monikka, a fellow nerd, a gameshow queen, and my wonderful wife of 25 years, and my daughters Lillian and Sydney for their love and understanding, as they supported this endeavor as editors to complete this research work. I am fortunate to have Monikka in my life for this work as she also aided in data collection as well as ensuring the quality and accuracy of this work. Finally, my thanks goes out to all the people who I may have failed to mention, that have supported me to complete this dissertation research either directly or indirectly. iii Texas Tech University, Donald G. Prier II, May 2021 TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ........................................................................................... ii ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................... viii LIST OF FIGURES ..................................................................................................... x I. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................... 1 Background of the Research ................................................................................................... 2 Statement of the Research Problem ........................................................................................ 5 Purpose of the Research .......................................................................................................... 6 Research Questions ................................................................................................................. 7 Overview of the Research Design Methods ............................................................................ 7 Scope of the Research ............................................................................................................. 8 Significance of the Research ................................................................................................... 9 Researcher’s Assumptions/Biases......................................................................................... 10 Definition of Terms ............................................................................................................... 12 II. LITERATURE REVIEW ON THEORIES AND RESEARCH TOPIC ......... 17 Theoretical Framework ......................................................................................................... 18 Critical Race Theory ............................................................................................ 18 African American Male Theory ........................................................................... 22 Possible Selves Theory ........................................................................................ 22 Culturally Responsive Pedagogy ......................................................................... 23 Double Consciousness Theory ............................................................................. 24 Literature Review ................................................................................................................ 251 iv Texas Tech University, Donald G. Prier II, May 2021 Why an Absence of Black Males in STEM? ....................................................... 26 Perseverance of Black Males in STEM ............................................................... 34 Significance of Black males in STEM ................................................................. 35 Chapter Summary .................................................................................................... 37 III. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND METHODS ........................................ 39 Narrative Inquiry ...................................................................................................... 39 Autoethnography ...................................................................................................... 42 Methods for Data Collection .................................................................................... 45 Ensuring the Quality of an Autoethnography .......................................................... 46 Ethical Considerations ............................................................................................. 49 Methods for Data Analysis ...................................................................................... 50 Chapter Summary .................................................................................................... 51 IV. MY STORY .......................................................................................................... 52 Where Does STEM Begin for Me ............................................................................ 52 Middle School .......................................................................................................... 62 High School .............................................................................................................. 71 Southern University ................................................................................................. 79 The Teaching Opportunity ....................................................................................... 81 My Mentor ............................................................................................................... 91 The Making of my FIRST Superhero – Victor Stone .............................................. 94 v Texas Tech University, Donald G. Prier II, May 2021 Embracing STEM .................................................................................................. 110 Santa Clara, CA - Santa Clara High ....................................................................... 111 Mountain View - Los Altos, CA - Alta Vista ........................................................ 121 NAFEO at NASA Ames ........................................................................................ 131 The Great North West ............................................................................................ 137 Middle School STEM Experience in Houston, Texas ........................................... 143 Project 1-Avoyelles ................................................................................................ 149 Project 1-Avoyelles, Bunkie .................................................................................. 157 My Return to High School ..................................................................................... 166 Spring Branch ........................................................................................................ 174 Aldine Independent School District ....................................................................... 202 A New Plan of Action ........................................................................................ 203 The Space Robot ...............................................................................................