Despite numerous efforts to promote participation in science by individuals from underrepresented groups, the diversity observed in the broader society is not reflected within the scientific and ecology community. Within ESA, for over two decades, SEEDS has served as the flagship program that provides students from diverse backgrounds with opportunities to learn about ecology careers and engage in ecology activities. Evaluation of the last five years of the SEEDS program has focused on determining how the program has influenced psychosocial factors such students’ abilities related to ecology skills and their sense of belonging in the ecological community. Self-efficacy, sense of belonging, and scientific identity have been shown to influence individuals’ involvement in communities of practice in both professional and educational settings. SEEDS students who attended SEEDS activities, including ESA Annual Meetings, SEEDS Leadership Meetings and SEEDS Regional and National Field Trips, completed pre- and post-activity surveys reporting their level of confidence in their ecological skills, sense of belonging in science and ecology, and science/ecology identity.
Results/Conclusions
We analyzed 132, 20, and 72 pre- and post- survey responses results from students attending Annual Meetings, Leadership Meetings and Field Trips, respectively. Most participating SEEDS students were female (>65% at each activity). The SEEDS program attracted students from diverse backgrounds. Students identified as members of several ethnic and racial groups (15% African American/Black, 11% Asian American, 22% Hispanic/Latino, 6% Native America/Pacific Islander, 24% White and 15% bi/multi-racial). Students reported that Field Trips and Leadership Meetings increased their self efficacy. Through these activities they developed confidence in ecology skills such as asking ecology question and explaining study results. Additionally, Field Trips and Leadership Meetings increased students’ sense of belonging to the scientific community. SEEDS students reported that participation in the Annual Meetings stimulated their interest in an ecology career and gave them an opportunity to network with professional ecologists and graduate students. Future research will include in-depth interviews and focus groups, along with an analysis of career paths of SEEDS alumni to get a rich understanding of how each these outcomes ultimately influence career choices.