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Moderator: Martina Arndt, Bridgewater State University

How to Develop a Science Department IDEA Committee: A First-Semester Reflection

Mickey Dehn, Anne Arundel Community College

Julie Takacs, Anne Arundel Community College

Vennece Fowlkes, Anne Arundel Community College

The presenters will share experiences and accomplishments after one semester of establishing an Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Anti-racism (IDEA) committee, a faculty-driven initiative started at Anne Arundel Community College (Arnold, MD). This workshop will guide participants through the initial steps of assessing their departmental climate and establishing a committee of peers. Participants will be provided steps to navigate the process of creating an IDEA committee.

Centering DEIR: Framing and Implementing Collaborative Research Experiences in the Chemistry Curriculum at Bridgewater State University

Edward Brush, Bridgewater State University

Alyssa R. Deline, Bridgewater State University

Saritha Nellutla, Bridgewater State University

Achieving equitable outcomes in undergraduate STEM education is imperative for a socially just society. Centering diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect (DEIR) in these efforts requires innovative approaches that extend beyond a student's experience within a single course. Specifically, this discussion forum will highlight strategies for framing and implementing authentic, collaborative research experiences as a department-wide effort in the chemistry department at Bridgewater State University and will encourage the participants to explore new ideas that center DEIR at their department level. Some examples of coordinated efforts include the scaffolding of research and collaborative skills throughout the curriculum, the use of hybrid and virtual tools to expand access to undergraduate research experience, the integration of DEIR topics within collaborative coursework, the involvement of students in curriculum development efforts, and interdisciplinary engagement.