ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the ways that the national reckoning on racial injustice of 2020 has brought heightened urgency to the collective reflection of a group of researchers and practitioners working to design and implement equitable opportunities for New York City youth through the Science Research Mentoring Program (SRMP) at the American Museum of Natural History. Drawing on the collaborative conversations with our partners across the 24 institutions that comprise the New York City Science Research Mentoring Consortium, this chapter focuses on how, why, and when our recognitions took shape with respect to three key components of program design at the museum: recruitment of youth; scaffolds for participation in a science community of practice; and scientist mentor preparation. We discuss the ways in which our programs are potentially contributing to the systemic and institutional marginalization of youth of color and the need to examine traditionally “effective” practices and the role of power and privilege in shaping our definitions of success with respect to broadening participation in STEM.
