Lack of Diversity in Science is Bad for our Nation, Economy.

Study says that Lack of African-Americans in Science Field Hurting Industry.

by J. Coyden Palmer

A study that surveyed Fortune 1000 STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) executives representing leading science and technology companies in the United States, was released last week by Bayer Corporation.

The survey found that women, African Americans, Hispanics and Native Americans are underrepresented in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields and that the result could hurt the nation as a whole. The findings of the study should alarm whoever is going to be the next president of the United States the report stated. Minorities are seen as perhaps the saving grace for the country if America is going to keep its place as the leader in the STEM industry, the report noted.


Read the rest of the report on BDPA Foundation page.


I am cross-posting this article because this is one of my battle cries. The need for enhanced diversity in STEM fields - beginning with enhanced education and outreach opportunities to members of these under-represented groups.

Related posts about this topic.
Assertive STEM Education Training Programs may prove beneficial
Why 'Perfect Representation' in STEM is important



I am also a staunch supporter of community involvement and initiatives that reach out to these groups. So even if the school system can't handle it (for whatever reason) I believe and know that there is plenty of talent and energy that can pick up the slack and provide students with supplement STEM education.


I dedicate some of my time and energy to share science with students - in my real life, not just online. I participate in a variety of outreach programs from mentoring and training students in research, guest speaking, tutoring and service in my professional organizations.


So, with that in mind I want to encourage everyone to find a way to get involved to close the math & science achievement gap in this nation. Tutor. Assist with a Science Fair or Knowledge Bowl or National Computer Competition or any other academic program or fair. Have your company sponsor a Family Math and/or Science Night at the school or local community center.

Something. In fact, here's something you can do right now - and if you can leverage company or organization support that is great.


DonorsChoose is an annual fundraiser that raises money to supply classrooms with the things they need. Won't you help students at low-income schools* get the supplies they need to get a quality science and math education?
*(Schools with a high proportion of students receiving free and reduced lunches).

There is also a Blogger Challenge to get Communities of Bloggers to raise a high amount of funds. I know Blog Communities like ScienceBlogs do it every year. I'll look into the details and see if I can get members of the AfroSphere/AfroSpear to participate.

Maybe we call all do our little part.

Presidential Candidates Stand on Science

The other day, I blogged about the Presidential Candidates’ stands on science. STEM is the foundation of this nation’s prowess, security, and success. Therefore sound science policies and developing other policies with sound science and advice is terribly important.

Too bad there won't be a 4th Presidential Debate that's all about Science and Education. But we've got the next best thing - ScienceDebate2008. It is an online forum where the candidates provided answers to 14 key Science questions. The goal is to raise public awareness of science, technology, and innovation and call attention to informed decision-making at higher political levels. You can read their answers and offer comments and offer new questions.

I am biased (I support Obama), but my first response to the candidates side-by-side answers is that the two definitely see science differently.

Obama details his interests and comprehension of the importance of the STEM pipeline. He proposes funding science & math education from K-12 through graduate education and early career research grants. He focuses on supporting science through agencies like the National Science Foundation.

McCain doesn’t even mention a single science agency and all of his focus is on technology and entrepreneurship. Basic research happens at colleges adn universities and through scientific agencies like NSF, NASA, and NIMH. Business innovation of technology and discovery takes place AFTER graduate students and post-docs work out all of the kinks. I am disturbed by McCain’s limited comprehension STEM and its work culture. He completely disregards the role of academics in science research, and it makes him seem so out of touch. He complete focuses on tech-related industries (I guess because of the potential for entrepreneurship) and ignore the basic sciences such as life sciences and physical sciences. And I’m still sore about the comment about science research being a wasteful pork earmark.

Let me share something with you all. The ability to get federal research money for science is based on a very strict, very competitive peer-reviewed system. You have to write a detailed grant explaining why you want the money and the impact the research/results will have on the world. Science is about knowledge – gaining knowledge, clarifying information, and disseminating knowledge. Even great ideas that might possibly change the world get denied because of lack of impact. Getting research money is no easy task. Even for my graduate-level research monies I had to jump through several hoops. No one passes this money out. There is no special money set aside for pet science projects –of any kind. Everyone must compete and demonstrate professional ability before any money is granted.

Update: From Campaign News from AAAS Policy Alert Newsletter.
On Sept. 26 the Obama campaign released a revised plan for science, technology, and innovation and a letter signed by 61 Nobel Prize-winning scientists who have endorsed Obama. On Sept. 29 Senator McCain released a radio ad reinforcing his past record on stem cell research and calling an Obama ad claiming that he has "stood in the way" of stem cell research "misleading." And in a speech last week at the Clinton Global Initiative, McCain reiterated his commitment to addressing global warming.

Stay informed!
I can’t wait for the VP Debate tomorrow.

Presidential Debate 1: McCain on Science

The Scientific Research and Ecology circles are not at all happy with the glib comments made by Presidential Candidate John McCain about DNA research on Bears being pork spending and wasteful. When I was live blogging with Pam during the debate, I was livid to hear that.

He really drew a line in the sand with the science community. How dare he look down on SCIENCE? The subject and field were this nation is slipping steadily behind. But as I learned in ECOLOG, an e-community list serve maintained by the Ecological Society of America, McCain has been “joking” about this Bear Research being a waste. In fact, Scientific American published an article back in February 2008 McCain's Beef with Bears?—Pork.

First of all, scientific research like this is NOT pork or a special earmark. The Scientific and Education communities would be so lucky to have some guaranteed funding for these important lines of work. But I digress. Second, the study is very important and worth every penny. Grizzly Bears are federally endangered (listed in 1975) and research is necessary in order to understand the species and save it from extinction. "This is not pork barrel at all," says Richard Mace, a research biologist with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP). "We have a federal law called the Endangered Species Act and [under this law] the federal government is supposed to help identify and conserve threatened species."

His remarks and regards don’t really surprise me; and I’ve not been secretive about my support for Obama. Check out McCain’s and Obama’s answers to the Science Debate 2008 14 Questions about Science Policy.

STEM is far too important, our nation’s children score poorly in science and math, far too many young people shy away from these subjects in college, and most American adults are scientific illiterate to shoot scientific research down as a waste of time and money. The time of ant-intellectualism and anti-education must end. NOW!

Green for All Demands Green Jobs Now

Green for All is just that, an environmental and economic movement that is for EVERYONE. The Wealthy. The Poor & Disenfranchised. Students. Urbanites. Small Town Folk. And Green for All is demanding Green Jobs Now – to save our world and our communities.

Living Green isn’t just about respecting and protecting the earth. It’s also about living this life well and with security. No one should have to worry about energy costs vs. quality nutrition. These issues are as much environmental as they are economic and about social justice.

Money + Environment = Green Economy

I’m ready to eradicate poverty.

I’m ready to live more responsibly and take care of my community & neighbors, nature & my environment, and fiscally.

I’m ready for a Green Economy. Are you?

Join me in spreading the word about Green for All and demand Green Jobs Now!
Visit the website and check out the Green Jobs Now Video to learn more about the movement and ways you can participate.

Go Green, Live Green, Save Green, Make Green!

National Digital Media Day - Using Tech for STEM Education

Digital Media has really made a big impact in our world today. Think about it, some of us are easier to catch up with on line than on the phone or would rather send a text than write a letter. Digital media certainly does make life easier and convenient.

I think blogs and the internet in general have an amazing capacity to share information and educate the public. Teachers, students and parents can go to the internet and discover and download the world. Digital Media can be used (and are being used) to improve math and science education by enhancing and supplementing curriculum, aiding in research and independent study projects, and by just improving learning. It's all there.

Just googling can uncover gems.
The Smithsonian: Encyclopedia Smithsonian Science & Technology - everything from space, planet, animals, physics, forensics, conservation, to communications.

Or checking out any of the science, math, and education websites and blogs I have listed on my side bar.

Also, two of my fellow AfroSpear Members: Eddie Griffin and Fredric Mitchell.

Eddie Griffin's New School of Human Rights is a strong advocate of math education and enhanced critical thinking skills among today's urban youth. In fact, his tag line reads: "Building education systems online to propel our children to be the best that they can be." An archive post: Towards Solving the Math-Science Achievement Gap which is a bold proposal to solve this achievement gap using technology.

Fredric Mitchell with Young Black Professional Guide, is a web developer based in Chicago who hopes to one day start a foundation to support young, Black males in programming and computer science.


Though the use of Digital Media is great and can benefit all, it is not a universally accessible tool -- at least not just yet.
Our society still needs to address and solve the matters of access and affordability of these technologies. And we still need to close the computer literacy gap by introducing these technologies and helping members of under-resourced communities learn to fully utilize them in way that doesn't make them feel alienated.

In the meantime, I think lauding the benefits of Digital Media is a great start.

Addressing Diabetes with Traditional Nutrition

World Ark Magazine is produced by Heifer International, an amazing organization that empowers communities and addresses hunger. In the May/June issue of this year. Healing History is an article (on page 32) about how US Native Americans are re-discovering their food heritage and tackling their major health nemesis – diabetes.

North American Native Americans suffer unusually high rates of diabetes, so much so that being diagnosed with diabetes is no longer alarming. The subject of the article, Paul Smith, a member of the Oneida tribe in Wisconsin, has diabetes along with most of his family.

What’s to blame?

One answer is genetics. Type 2 diabetes does have a genetic component with high rates of incidence among full-blooded Native Americans. As a group, the rate of type 2 diabetes is more than twice as high as among whites.

A second answer has to do with major lifestyle differences of modern Native Americans compared to their fore-parents. Indigenous populations are choosing more wholesome, traditional diets less as fast food and convenience foods become so tempting.
Both of these answers hint to the role the diet and evolution and Thrifty Genes on this ethnic group.

To respond to this crisis, diabetes educators are advocating for a return to Native American diet traditions. Type 2 diabetes in this community is actually a diet-related illness and they are addressing this illness nutritionally. There is now a renewed focus on traditional Native American foods and diets – such as more legumes, fresh vegetables, squash, corn and beans and less convenient and processed foods. By eating like more like their great-grand-parents, today’s Native Americans are actually restoring the balance within their bodies, and improving their health and communities.

Science Vocab: Thrifty Genes

The other day, I hinted about my struggle with weight. Carrying extra weight is not healthy, but for some people shedding pounds is a challenge. It is for me. I blame my thrifty genes for some of my struggles.

The Thrifty Gene Hypothesis was first presented in the 1960's. It basically says that the among some ethnicities, their genes for metabolism work differently.

People from ethnic groups like Africans, Native Americans, and Polynesians evolved in areas where there were routine food shortages, due to extended dry seasons or cyclic famines.

Those individuals who carried a little extra fat -- in the hips, stomach, thighs or where ever --survived hungry times better. They carried more fat because of how their bodies metabolized carbs. Instead of burning it all off, their metabolisms were frugal or thrifty, burning less energy and storing more of it as fat.

I personally think the term Thrifty Genes isn't the best description. I prefer Famine-Resistance Body Type.

Fast-forward to the pro-industrial age.

We definitely have a more sedentary lifestyle than our ancestors. We put less energy into farming, chasing down game, gathering food, and preparing and cooking food.

Also, food is more regularly available - in the Industrialized world, fewer chances of famine and food shortages.

We also have a lot of processed, high carb, high sugar foods - more caloric-bang for the portion size. Those of us who have ancestors who successfully lived in these harsher conditions, but inherited their "good famine-resistant genes" are now at a disadvantage. Our genes and physiology are pre-programed - save more, burn less and there is little we can about it - other than eat differently and exercise more.

This hypothesis is presented as plausible, though not definitive, explanation for why African-Americans, Native-Americans, and Polynesian peoples have a higher propensity for weight issues and health problems like diabetes and heart diseases.