Keywords

participatory modeling, broadening participation, disabilities

Start Date

27-6-2018 9:00 AM

End Date

27-6-2018 10:20 AM

Abstract

Paper/Oral Presentation:

Participatory modeling is well suited for exploring and defining the complexities of a system as experienced by a full array of stakeholders. An example is broadening participation of persons with disabilities and underrepresented minorities in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math). Funded by the National Science Foundation, the authors used participatory modeling in numerous settings, employing a variety of interactive techniques to elicit individual and group models. Using these techniques, our models resulted in more profound reflection, clarity, and descriptiveness of contributing factors. This approach also promoted inclusive and diverse perspectives because it involves the full array of stakeholders. Consumers, professionals, funders, and community partners contributed mental models to the formation of overall system models. Lastly, the resulting system model prompted focused problem-solving and discovery within groups. This paper will describe the fit of participatory modeling for defining dilemmas and identifying innovations around the issue of broadening participation in STEM. The authors will explain their rationale for selecting participatory modeling as a methodology for addressing broadening participation research, how the approach elicited clarity about a complex system from the viewpoints of multiple stakeholders, and the overall lessons learned and challenges with the method. Examples of the interactive processes used and resulting models will be shared in the paper.

Stream and Session

Stream C: Integrated Social, Economic, Ecological, and Infrastructural Modeling

C1: Participatory Modelling, Ambiguity and the Challenges of Being Inclusive

Download
COinS
 
Jun 27th, 9:00 AM Jun 27th, 10:20 AM

Exploring Complex Systems for Broadening Participation in STEM through Participatory Modeling

Paper/Oral Presentation:

Participatory modeling is well suited for exploring and defining the complexities of a system as experienced by a full array of stakeholders. An example is broadening participation of persons with disabilities and underrepresented minorities in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math). Funded by the National Science Foundation, the authors used participatory modeling in numerous settings, employing a variety of interactive techniques to elicit individual and group models. Using these techniques, our models resulted in more profound reflection, clarity, and descriptiveness of contributing factors. This approach also promoted inclusive and diverse perspectives because it involves the full array of stakeholders. Consumers, professionals, funders, and community partners contributed mental models to the formation of overall system models. Lastly, the resulting system model prompted focused problem-solving and discovery within groups. This paper will describe the fit of participatory modeling for defining dilemmas and identifying innovations around the issue of broadening participation in STEM. The authors will explain their rationale for selecting participatory modeling as a methodology for addressing broadening participation research, how the approach elicited clarity about a complex system from the viewpoints of multiple stakeholders, and the overall lessons learned and challenges with the method. Examples of the interactive processes used and resulting models will be shared in the paper.