Shattering Stereotypes (Technology Forum version)
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| Activity | Shattering Stereotypes |
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| Overview | Participants compare preconceived ideas about technology students to profiles of actual students to develop a broad understanding of who can be a technology student. |
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| Time | 15-20 minutes |
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| Materials | (For Each Participant) Copy of the Describe a Technology Student handout (PDF) Copy of the Technology Student Facts handout (PDF) Copy of one of four Student Profile handouts (PDF) Pencil |
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Customize for Your College:
Use the four Student Profiles (PDF) provided or create four of your own using the Student Profile Template (Word). Note: If you are unable to open the Template in Word 2001, you can view the contents in PDF format. Interview and photograph students in your program; then use this information to create profiles on the template. (Since these profiles will be copied and distributed, be sure to obtain proper permission from the students.) You can also describe additional students featured in the Success Stories section of the Pathways to Technology Web site.
Note: Every handout has space for adding your logo (bottom right corner for PDF documents; anywhere else for Word documents).
Procedure:
- Organize participants into groups of four. Provide each participant with a copy of the Describe a Technology Student handout (PDF).
- Ask participants to think about the characteristics of a typical technology student. Have them answer the questions on the Describe a Technology Student handout.
- Provide each participant with a copy of the Technology Student Facts handout (PDF) and have them compare it with their responses on the first handout.
- Explain that participants will now "meet" some actual students. Distribute one of the four Student Profiles (PDF) to each participant in a group. Make sure that participants in each group have different profiles.
- After they've read the profiles, have participants within small groups share interesting things they learned about the students. What similarities and differences do they notice between the student profiles and their portraits of a typical student?
- Lead a discussion about how participants might apply their findings from this activity. Ask: Do you notice any characteristics from the student profiles in students you are advising? How does this activity make you reflect on which students/advisees you encourage to apply to technology programs? What one thing would you do differently to reach a broader range of students? How might you do this activity with your students/advisees as a career awareness activity? (Note: These suggested questions are for guidance counselors. Please adapt them to fit your audience.)
- (OPTIONAL) Invite a diverse group of students and/or program graduates to speak briefly about who they are, what prior education they had before enrolling in your program, and what they are currently doing.