University of San Diego

Perla Myers, PhD, has been a mathematics professor at the University of San Diego since 1999 and recently was named executive director of the Jacobs Institute for Innovation in Education at USD’s School of Leadership and Education Sciences. Dr. Myers enjoys co-creating experiential opportunities in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) at USD as well as with pre-K-12+ schools, locally and around the world. 

The University of San Diego Finds New and Innovative Ways to Bring Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics to Life

How do you show up when you know you belong? You feel relaxed and free to express yourself, to come as you are. You’re accepted, included, celebrated. And the assets you bring — your distinctive thoughts and unique perspectives — are acknowledged and valued.

Your voice matters.

A culturally affirming space embraces you in your glorious authenticity. At USD, culturally affirming spaces, such as the Jacobs Institute for Innovation in Education, advance educational equity, leading to broader representation in innovation, because those who feel welcomed are more likely to fully engage. And if they don’t need to focus on fitting in, they can use that energy to contribute more significantly to what matters most to them.

At the University of San Diego, we believe each person brings a spark, an innate sense of wonder and a potential to create solutions to humanity’s most urgent challenges. When we don’t, we miss out on crucial contributions from a large percentage of our population, particularly in the areas of science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics — the disciplines now known as STEAM. For example, people of African American, Hispanic and Native American descent, and women are still significantly underrepresented in the STEAM fields and in innovation, as represented by patent creation.

Since 2015, at an annual summer STEAM enrichment program for middle and high school students, we’ve created spaces where our student participants, known as STEAM Superstars, and their families — especially those from communities that have been historically excluded — know they belong.

Our enrichment program:

1. Focuses on family and community: Since these populations cherish family and community, we offer programming — orientations, family STEAM days and community conferences — that welcome and engage the entire family.

2. Embraces languages: Given the diverse languages spoken within these communities, we communicate in at least two languages to ensure understanding.

3. Introduces role models: We recruit and hire near-peer mentors and STEAM professionals with similar identities to those of our STEAM Superstars. These role models share stories about their journeys, their productive struggles and their strategies for overcoming challenges and obstacles.

4. Celebrates unique perspectives and forms of expression: Students share their stories, insights and ideas in creative ways — from public speaking to drawing, acting, singing, weaving and dancing.

5. Presents social justice curriculum: The STEAM Superstars explore the cultural and historical gems within their communities. They may visit San Diego’s Chicano Park to experience sociopolitical and cultural art and mathematics. They may discuss environmental justice and study the biodiversity at Mission Bay. Inspired by the United Nations’ goals for sustainable development, they may explore issues that are important to them. And they may collaborate with USD’s Changemakers through the engineering design process to contribute their own solutions.

6. Features foods, decorations, music and activities: We include rich cultural traditions that affirm and celebrate those experiences they hold most dear.

7. Addresses and dispels common misconceptions: We emphasize that everyone is a mathematics person and can succeed in STEAM. We assure our Superstars that to thrive in STEAM, they don’t need to be fast, but do need to persevere. We  give them the confidence to know that just because they might find concepts difficult doesn’t mean they aren’t capable.  Instead we celebrate their "productive struggle," which develops neural connections in the brain that will, in turn, make them more effective thinkers.

“New technologies facilitate the creation of easily accessible, virtual educational spaces”

New technologies facilitate the creation of easily accessible, virtual educational spaces. We believe these spaces should be infused with culturally relevant and affirming elements. I feel fortunate to have joined the Jacobs Institute for Innovation in Education, a nonprofit research and development collective that powers inclusive innovation and leadership in education at the University of San Diego’s School of Leadership and Education Sciences.

Dr. Irwin and Joan Jacobs, the institute’s generous founding donors, have an ongoing commitment to creating better, more innovative, and more equitable learning opportunities for all students.

The Jacobs Institute is in the early stages of creating Project SPAC3, a virtual Minecraft environment that celebrates the Hispanic culture. Funded by the National Science Foundation, Project SPAC3 offers a model for other immersive and culturally responsive environments.

Just like our summer enrichment program, the SPAC3 environment focuses on family and community through a three-generation participant team structure that includes family members, near-peer mentors and peers, who play the game together. Through Project SPAC3 we, once again, embrace language by providing in-worldmaterials and resources in Spanish and English, including conversations with STEAM professionals. We introduce inspiring Hispanic STEAM role models within the learning environment.

We invite participants to express their stories, insights and ideas in creative and inspiring ways. We immerse participants in adventures to explore all that their community has to offer and invite them to consider social justice issues and solutions. We surround ourselves with foods, decorations, music, activitiesand experiences that truly honor the strengths and cultural perspectives of Hispanic communities. And we address and dispel common misconceptions through conversations with role models, as well as tasks and challenges within the gaming world.

Our society is missing out on the brain power and innovation potential of large segments of our population. Providing culturally affirming spaces — the way we do at the University of San Diego, the School of Leadership and Education Sciences, and the Jacobs Institute for Innovation in Education — will invite them to take their rightful place at the table, amplify their voices and contribute significantly to innovation in a way that will benefit all of humanity.

The University of San Diego is proud to publish this article on Sept. 23, 2022, in conjunction with National Education Technology Day and as part of our celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.