Sustaining Socially Just and Accurate Life Sciences Teaching for Sex, Gender, and Reproduction?

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Sustaining Socially Just and Accurate Life Sciences Teaching for Sex, Gender, and Reproduction?
Language: English
Authors: A. M. Aramati Casper (ORCID 0000-0001-6557-4425), Linda C. Fuselier, Susan Jarosi, A. Kelsey Lewis, Stacey Ritz, Karen M. Warkentin, J. Kasi Jackson, Rhea R. Datta, Adriana M. Garriga-Lopez, Sara Giordano, A. Kelly Lane, Sheron L. Mark, Kimberly D. Tanner, Ash T. Zemenick, Sarah L. Eddy
Source: Natural Sciences Education. 2025 54(2).
Availability: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 21
Publication Date: 2025
Sponsoring Agency: National Science Foundation (NSF)
Contract Number: 2018693
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Descriptive
Descriptors: Biological Sciences, Science Education, Equal Education, Educational Change, Social Change, Language Usage, Social Attitudes, Interdisciplinary Approach, Social Justice, Sex, Gender Issues, Birth, Social Bias, Cultural Influences, LGBTQ People, Sexuality, Classification
DOI: 10.1002/nse2.70020
ISSN: 2168-8273
2168-8281
Abstract: For decades experts have called for improving equity in science education regarding sex, gender, and reproduction, with little large-scale change. To identify potential approaches to change, we convened an interdisciplinary group of biologists, education researchers, and gender and science studies scholars. Our conversations revealed a fundamental need to work across multiple scales, including change within life science classes and simultaneously at larger culture and systems scales in the life sciences and society as a whole. We used the multiple-loop learning framework to explore solutions across scales: Single-loop learning is change within existing structures, such as addressing terminology used in teaching; double-loop learning engages with why a problem exists, such as incorporating the history and philosophy of science into life sciences education; triple-loop learning questions underlying assumptions, such as shifting life science's culture and norms to value interdisciplinarity; and quadruple-loop learning involves societal-level changes, such as working across communities and social change. We argue that cultural changes in the values and norms in the life sciences, educational institutions, and society more broadly are essential for lasting transformation.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1493768
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:For decades experts have called for improving equity in science education regarding sex, gender, and reproduction, with little large-scale change. To identify potential approaches to change, we convened an interdisciplinary group of biologists, education researchers, and gender and science studies scholars. Our conversations revealed a fundamental need to work across multiple scales, including change within life science classes and simultaneously at larger culture and systems scales in the life sciences and society as a whole. We used the multiple-loop learning framework to explore solutions across scales: Single-loop learning is change within existing structures, such as addressing terminology used in teaching; double-loop learning engages with why a problem exists, such as incorporating the history and philosophy of science into life sciences education; triple-loop learning questions underlying assumptions, such as shifting life science's culture and norms to value interdisciplinarity; and quadruple-loop learning involves societal-level changes, such as working across communities and social change. We argue that cultural changes in the values and norms in the life sciences, educational institutions, and society more broadly are essential for lasting transformation.
ISSN:2168-8273
2168-8281
DOI:10.1002/nse2.70020