Dream On! (ePub)

Have you ever dreamed of becoming a doctor one day? Do you have a passion for math or science? Would you like to pursue an undergraduate degree in science, technology, engineering, math (STEM)? If you answered yes to one of these questions, then this text is for you!

The text draws upon the personal narratives of 16 undergraduate African American women who had aspirations of pursuing undergraduate degrees that led to careers in medicine, health professions, engineering, or mathematical fields. The book begins by telling their success stories and love for math and science in K-12 settings. It then discusses their stories of trials, triumphs, and even some tragedies when pursuing their undergraduate degrees at predominantly white institutions (PWIs). A discussion on how they built a sense of community, that is a sense of belonging in their majors is described as well.

The text describes why some African American girls and women leave STEM field and why others stick with pursuing their undergraduate STEM degrees. Despite enduring challenges in their majors, all 16 of resilient African American women completed undergraduate degrees in health science, social science, and/or STEM majors.

Careers that these women pursued were medical doctors, scientists, mathematicians by way of finance, engineer, business professional, and human resources professionals.

Recommendations include, the teaching methods that match the learning styles for African American girls and women pursuing STEM fields from elementary school to middle school, high school, and college; and ways community can be built for them while pursuing their STEM degrees.

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The book is a must read for girls, women, and minority women, and minorities who want to pursue STEM fields and medical degrees at predominantly white institutions, families, educators, administrators, and policymakers.