Minds on Science Gazette

The Case. A university professor has gained permission to plant genetically engineered seeds in a small farming town. The population of this rural town is composed of a small, highly educated white middle class, a large, poorly educated white population of low socio-economic status, and a large ethnic minority population of low socio-economic status, most of whom have a high school education.

The Problem: How do you think the different groups which live in the town will respond to the planting of the genetically engineered seeds? Do you think democratic standards and attitudes will be employed when dealing with the ethnic minority and low-income populations?

The Case: Jack Hannapool having just returned from a summer institute on strategies to enhance the course and career options for women and minorities in middle and high school science programs, prepared to give a report to the rest of the science department at a special meeting for this purpose. The department is composed of fifteen faculty members, five women and ten men. During Jack's report, one of the male teachers bursts out and says "What is this multicultural stuff? Is this just another buzz word?" You respond with, "You're joking!" The teacher say, "Absolutely not!" Two or three other teachers appear to support this buzz word position. You flash back to what the principal said last Spring: "Jack, I want a multicultural policy and program implemented in all departments, and since you're the science department chair, I want you to lead the effort."

The Problem: How do you respond to these three or four teachers who don't seem to see much value in multicultural education? How can you get them on your side?