Chemistry Classes Might Be Responsible for Disparities in STEM Majors

Chemistry Classes Might Be Responsible for Disparities in STEM Majors

Top of Mind with Julie Rose

First Lady of Baseball, Chemistry Bottleneck

Episode: First Lady of Baseball, Chemistry Bottleneck

  • Jun 28, 2022 6:00 am
  • 11:56 mins

At the start of college, American students from all different backgrounds express equal interest in majoring in a STEM field –like biology or engineering, or pre-med. But by the end of college, it’s a different picture. Women, first-generation college students, low-income college students, and certain racial minority groups are much less likely to have stuck with the STEM major. What happens along the way to derail them? University of Washington biology lecturer Scott Freeman believes the disparity can partly be blamed on general chemistry classes. (Segment produced by Sam Faulconer)