Preliminary Insights from Exploring Engineering Learning Ecosystems of Black Youth

摘要

Informal learning contexts provide immersive experiences which can promote engineering learning and fluency. Some learning experiences are highly structured while others are less formal and ill-structured. These less structured informal activities at times offer very intriguing engineering learning contexts ripe with opportunities for youth to engage in engineering thinking and to develop useful engineering skills. In these settings, youth have the opportunities to construct their own learning and to engage in activities that interest them. Access to structured informal engineering learning experiences differs based on race and socioeconomic status. Therefore, we shift our attention to address informal sociocultural settings. Sociocultural informal contexts within Black communities provide opportunities for youth to develop engineering related skills in culturally familiar ('real-world') settings. In a previous study, Tolbert found 15 sociocultural practices which enabled Black youth to develop engineering attributes. Additionally, these practices allowed for access to Community Cultural Wealth.