Abstract High‐quality forms of intergroup contact, such as cross‐group play and friendships, have been identified as particularly effective for promoting positive beliefs toward outgroup peers. Relations between children's cross‐group play experiences and their beliefs about peers’ math and science competencies and high‐status occupational prospects have not yet been examined. Understanding these relations is important given that children from minoritized groups continue to face exclusion and bias in these domains. The present study examined the associations between children's (N = 983,Mage = 9.64, SDage = .89) reported cross‐group play experiences and their math and science competency beliefs and high‐status occupation expectations about girls and Black peers. Results revealed that, for majority group participants (i.e., boys and White children), higher levels of cross‐group play were associated with significantly higher beliefs and expectations for girls and Black peers. Further, results demonstrated contexts in which higher levels of cross‐group play were positively associated with girls’ and Black children's beliefs and expectations for their own groups. Together, these findings advance theory and research on the benefits of cross‐group contact in childhood by highlighting novel outcomes to which cross‐group contact is positively related, as well as by showing that children from both minoritized and majority status groups stand to benefit from cross‐group contact.
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Designing STEM Learning Environments to Support Middle School Black Girls’ Computational Algorithmic Thinking: A Possibility Model for Disrupting STEM Neoliberal Projects
This study reports findings from a longitudinal study aimed at supporting middle-school Black girls’ computational algorithmic thinking (CAT). We argue that STEM learning, in the way SCAT designs it, is not about neoliberal aims, but provides Black girls with opportunities to radically shape their identities as producers, innovators, and disruptors of deficit perspectives. Using Black Feminist Thought and Intersectionality as a theoretical lens, findings suggest Black girls participate in SCAT in order to find meaning in relevance and altruism, author their own creative imaginations, and create new narratives about themselves and other Black girls and women. Implications for K-12 are discussed.
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- Award ID(s):
- 1812924
- PAR ID:
- 10213069
- Editor(s):
- Gresalfi, M.; Horn, I.
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- International Conference of the Learning Sciences
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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