S3 E6: STEM for Multilingual Learners, with Dr. Okhee Lee
October 21, 2024 | 54 mins
Welcome to another episode of the Teaching STEM #4Real podcast! In this powerful conversation, we speak with Dr. Okhee Lee, a professor at NYU Steinhardt School and a national leader in advancing STEM and language learning for multilingual learners.
Dr. Lee has been instrumental in shaping the future of STEM education as a member of the NGSS writing team and leader of its diversity and equity team. Her current work focuses on justice-centered STEM education, integrating subjects like data science and computer science to tackle real-world challenges.
In this episode, Dr. Lee shares insights on supporting multilingual learners in STEM education:**
- The evolution of terminology from "limited English proficient" to "multilingual learners" and its impact on student identity
- How WIDA 2020 standards align with NGSS to support language development through science learning
- The importance of giving students agency in their learning and communication
- A case study of the "garbage unit" curriculum that integrates multiple science concepts
- Shifting from equity-based to justice-centered approaches in STEM education
- The role of identity and positionality in shaping science education reform
- Developing consensus across research, policy, and practice to drive meaningful change
This conversation provides a powerful vision for how STEM education can be reimagined to be more inclusive and empowering for multilingual learners. Dr. Lee shares personal stories and wisdom that will inspire educators to rethink their approach to language and content integration in the classroom.
Rate, Review, & Follow on Spotify & Apple Podcasts
“This is a great show for educators in STEM! Love Leena’s perspective on creating equitable classroom environments for STEM and the guests are always spot on!” ← If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing our show! This helps us support more people — just like you — move toward creating access and equity in STEM, #4Real. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! You can also rate the show on Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/show/7CsBVUpmzwgvNsSYkWcJ4C
Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast here: Follow now!
Teaching STEM #4Real is a podcast dedicated to #4Real conversations on educational equity in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education hosted by Dr. Leena Bakshi McLean. If you’re interested in exploring what anti-racism and socially just instruction looks like in our classrooms, schools, and beyond, you are in the right place. Dr. Bakshi is also the founder of the non-profit, STEM4Real. Please visit our website for information on how to partner with us. Thank you for helping us make STEM, #4Real.
Dr. Lee has been instrumental in shaping the future of STEM education as a member of the NGSS writing team and leader of its diversity and equity team. Her current work focuses on justice-centered STEM education, integrating subjects like data science and computer science to tackle real-world challenges.
In this episode, Dr. Lee shares insights on supporting multilingual learners in STEM education:**
- The evolution of terminology from "limited English proficient" to "multilingual learners" and its impact on student identity
- How WIDA 2020 standards align with NGSS to support language development through science learning
- The importance of giving students agency in their learning and communication
- A case study of the "garbage unit" curriculum that integrates multiple science concepts
- Shifting from equity-based to justice-centered approaches in STEM education
- The role of identity and positionality in shaping science education reform
- Developing consensus across research, policy, and practice to drive meaningful change
This conversation provides a powerful vision for how STEM education can be reimagined to be more inclusive and empowering for multilingual learners. Dr. Lee shares personal stories and wisdom that will inspire educators to rethink their approach to language and content integration in the classroom.
Rate, Review, & Follow on Spotify & Apple Podcasts
“This is a great show for educators in STEM! Love Leena’s perspective on creating equitable classroom environments for STEM and the guests are always spot on!” ← If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing our show! This helps us support more people — just like you — move toward creating access and equity in STEM, #4Real. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! You can also rate the show on Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/show/7CsBVUpmzwgvNsSYkWcJ4C
Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast here: Follow now!
Teaching STEM #4Real is a podcast dedicated to #4Real conversations on educational equity in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education hosted by Dr. Leena Bakshi McLean. If you’re interested in exploring what anti-racism and socially just instruction looks like in our classrooms, schools, and beyond, you are in the right place. Dr. Bakshi is also the founder of the non-profit, STEM4Real. Please visit our website for information on how to partner with us. Thank you for helping us make STEM, #4Real.