Vassar College‐Bronx Institute acoustics workshop for low‐income, ethnic minority, urban high school students.

Abstract

Recent studies continue to show that low percentages of women and members of underrepresented ethnic groups are pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, and math fields. Acoustics is no exception to this trend. As national demographics change more rapidly, and globalization transforms the way we approach the scientific process, the need for diversity becomes even more essential. The inclusion of women and minorities not only changes the questions being asked but also changes how those questions are answered. For acoustics to grow as a discipline, barriers to participation and success of members from underrepresented groups must be eradicated, and we must address the leakage in the science pipeline for students and professionals at all stages in their careers. One key area of concern is the recruitment and retention of K‐12 students. This presentation will detail the joint efforts of the Vassar College Physics and Astronomy Department and the Bronx Institute at Lehman College to establish a hands‐on, inquiry based acoustic workshop series for urban, low‐income, underrepresented ethnic minority students from a collection of high schools in the Bronx borough in New York City.