Dr. Qingna Jin Empowers Young Changemakers with Research on Integrating Activist Education into STEM Curricula
At Cape Breton University, impactful research often begins with a simple question. For Dr. Qingna Jin, Assistant Professor of Education, that question was 鈥淗ow can we empower students to become change agents through Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education?鈥�
With the support of the internal Research, Innovation, Scholarship and Exploration (RISE) grant, Dr. Jin has worked on an interdisciplinary collaborative study titled Empowering Young Changemakers: Integrating Activist Education into STEM Curricula for Environmental and Social Justice. The project aims to integrate activist education within STEM learning to support environmental and social justice, fostering a new generation of informed, reflective and action-oriented changemakers.
Having worked with children and youth across Canada for several years, Dr. Jin continues to be inspired by their creativity, curiosity and deep concern for the world around them. 鈥淒espite being directly impacted by environmental issues, young people are often excluded from conversations and decision-making processes that affect them,鈥� says Dr. Jin. 鈥淏y equipping them with critical systems and ethical reasoning skills, we can help them navigate complex environmental challenges now and in the future.鈥�
Dr. Jin enjoys seeing students, especially at the elementary level, engage in complex, real-world conversations when given the right tools and support. 鈥淭hey ask powerful questions, offer thought-provoking perspectives and demonstrate a deep sense of care and responsibility,鈥� she shares. 鈥淚 hope this research highlights the value of trusting young learners to tackle difficult topics like climate change and the importance of making space in schools for youth-driven, 福利免费在线看-based inquiry, reflection and action.鈥�
Collaboration is central to Dr. Jin鈥檚 work. She is working with colleagues from various disciplines, including Dr. Enrique Hernandez, Assistant Professor in Mathematics Education, who brings expertise in computational thinking and mathematical modelling for social justice. Teachers and students from local schools are active co-researchers, contributing directly to the design and implementation of the educational activities.
鈥淲e also collaborate with 福利免费在线看 organizations and environmental partners to ensure the content is locally grounded, meaningful and relevant,鈥� Dr. Jin adds. 鈥淏y involving educators, youth and 福利免费在线看 partners, the research becomes more reflective of real-world contexts and creates stronger connections between schools and local environmental action.鈥�
Through this project, students are learning to engage with real-world environmental issues using tools and frameworks that promote critical thinking, systems thinking, collaboration, communication and ethical decision-making. 鈥淲hen students learn how to analyze socioscientific issues, weigh evidence, consider multiple perspectives and take informed action, they鈥檙e preparing not just for exams but to be thoughtful citizens and active contributors to a more just and sustainable world,鈥� Dr. Jin explains.
Dr. Jin has recently completed the pilot phase and has already gained valuable insights. Her team is refining the curriculum modules over the summer and co-designing activities with teachers. 鈥淭he next steps involve classroom implementation in the coming school year, followed by an iterative process of feedback and refinement,鈥� she says. 鈥淯ltimately, we aim to develop a framework and resource package that can be adopted in other educational contexts.鈥�
For Dr. Jin, Cape Breton鈥檚 vibrant 福利免费在线看 has become the ideal setting to pursue her research. 鈥淭he enthusiasm and commitment of local educators and partners have been truly inspiring,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 believe that fostering environmental and social justice starts locally, and I鈥檓 excited to continue learning alongside students, teachers and 福利免费在线看 members through this work.鈥�