Socio/Cultural Differences in Approaching Learning and

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Socio/Cultural Differences in Approaching
Learning and Outreach a Hispanic American
Perspective Marcelo E. Vazquez, MD, PhD NSBRI
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• PERSONAL BACKGROUND
• Family of educators.
• TA during Medical School
• Chief Resident, Radiation Therapy
• High School Programs in Space Sciences
• Director and Instructor of the NASA Space
  Radiation Summer School

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• GENERAL BACKGROUND
• Target Hispanics, undergraduate and graduate
  students in space sciences living in
  America.
• Concept of Hispanic or Latino population.
• Stereotype and generalizations as a barrier.
• Differences between Hispanics or Latinos in
  America
• Latino American vs. Hispanic America
• Rich heritage in astronomy or the lack of.
• Who cares?

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WERE THEY COME FROM?
MAKES ANY DIFFERENCE?
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• Ethnic and cultural influences in Mesoamerica and
  South America.
• Expand from centuries to the present day.
• Native Americans
• Africa (slavery)
• Europe (discovery, conquest, colonies,
  liberation)
• Immigration patterns Spain, Italy, Portugal,
  etc.
• United States (space program, coca cola, star
  wars, etc.)
• How these influences affect the interest and
  career outcome in space science for Latinos.
• Does heritage matter?

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HERITAGE AND PRESENT DAY INFLUENCES
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• Heritage in astronomy does not play a role beyond
  cultural pride. Still unexplored or forgotten in
  Latinos at present day.
• Heritage connection differs from South American
  cultures. Example
• Argentinean vs. Mexican or Peruvian
• More important
• Access to information
• Family as a filter/barrier or facilitator for
  access
• Socio/economical pressures.
• Religion
• Bias against science
• Too complicated.
• You will never be a rocket scientist!
• The Math monster!!!!!!

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PERSONAL LESSONS Not many Latinos reach high
levels in education or as a role models in space
sciences. For those Latinos who reached a high
level of interest in space sciences the cultural
differences or particularities have less
impact. They are already assimilated to the
usual expectations or even surpass these
expectations as students or career
achievers. Universal phenomenon the space
bug infection Carl Sagan path.
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PERSONAL LESSONS Creation of opportunities for
the brain (spirit) to be open to change and
challenge by our universe. CAN WE HELP?
MAYBE. Respect to the individual culture but
more important nurture the passion for discovery
and wonder. Interactive DVDs or CDs or glossy
posters will not do it. Only person to person
educational experience makes the difference as
well as a connection with real life experience
with science. Analogs. Site visits, research
projects with real scientists, hardware,
etc. Hands on experiences.
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• CAN WE HELP? MAYBE.
• Only a well trained cadre of educators with
  passion in space sciences first and with state of
  the art media tools second, can make a
  difference.
• Family participation critical for pre-K to high
  school levels.
• However, the learning or outreach experience must
  be linked with real life issues such as
• Viable career choice (opportunities?)
• Space science can have planetary influences
  (global warming, asteroid collision, etc).

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WE HAVE AN UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY.