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Looking at the Human Side of Science

In guiding her Upper School students as they study biology, teacher Kara Schupp likes to take the time to help increase appreciation for the human beings actually practicing the science she teaches in classes, in addition to their important contributions to the discipline. 
 
Schupp wants her students to understand:
  • Science is a result of human endeavors, imagination and creativity.
  • Individuals and teams from many nations and cultures have contributed to science and advances in engineering.
  • Technological advances have influenced the progress of science, and science has influenced advances in technology.
  • Society influences science and engineering, and science and engineering influence society.
To drive this message home, Schupp shared information on a scientist she believes deserves a spotlight: Stanford neurobiologist Ben Barres, an individual who has truly lived a science-and-society experiment. Beginning his career as a female and transitioning to male, he had a unique perspective on the sexism inherent in research labs and science in general. “Students are really moved and inspired by this man’s unique story and experiences,” said Schupp.
 
Next, Schupp asked her students to suggest other scientists’ stories that deserved the spotlight. Students set to work doing independent research to identify important people who have made significant contributions to a field of scientific inquiry, but might not be on everyone’s radar for one reason or another. During a normal academic year, they would share the products of their investigation in class and display them in the science hallways. Due to the current social distancing guidelines, we are happy to share their Scientist Spotlight Videos below.
 
Schupp likes this project because it “helps students see the scientists as people contributing to the scientific community. It emphasizes that scientists are people who have stories to tell, and we can learn not only about what they studied, but how they impacted the people around them, made a difference and have a story that isn’t in the textbooks. We may not get to write the science textbooks or influence what gets included, but we can investigate and share the important contributions of scientists whose lives mattered, whose work mattered and who we think deserve to have a moment in the spotlight.”
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Francis W. Parker School educates students to think and act with empathy, courage and clarity as responsible citizens and leaders in a diverse democratic society and global community.