Happy New Year from Gender-Inclusive Biology! [Jan]

Happy New Year from Gender-Inclusive Biology!

Welcome to our updated newsletter, filled with updates, resources, and ideas for teaching that includes ALL students and identities.

Gender-Inclusion In the News

On January 5th, the U.S. House of Representatives approved gender-neutral language in the official House rules and established a permanent Office of Diversity and Inclusion. This change in language uses inclusive words such as “parent,” “child,” and “sibling” and changes references to an individual in the third person to “themself.”

This move is one small step towards equity, but shows the impact shifting language can make! Check out our language guide that shows simple shifts teachers can make to create a more inclusive biology classroom.

Upcoming Inclusive Sex Ed Book

Many are excited about an upcoming publication, Puberty: Pick Your Path by Dr. Sydney Tam, MD, CCFP and Rakiyah Jones, DNP, FNP-BC, illustrated by Bishakh Som and kd diamond. Here’s the description shared by the publisher, Flamingo Rampant:

“This groundbreaking book introduces young people to the process of puberty, allowing any kid to learn about the changes that may come. The book describes many options for trans and nonbinary kids to explore - for the first time ever - possible routes and options through puberty and into adulthood, with age-appropriate illustrations and diagrams throughout.”

You can pre-order this and other titles in the Flamingo Rampant collection here.

Calling High School Life Science Teachers!

A call to participate in research by Elizbeth Hobbs

I am asking for your participation in a survey to insight into how Biology teachers teach social justice and socioscientific issues. I am asking high school Biology, Life Science and Environmental Science teachers to participate. It is about a 15-20 minute survey. One in four participants who gives a valid email address and submits the survey will be emailed a $10 gift card from Amazon.com within a month of submittal. The survey will not work on a mobile device, so please complete on a laptop or desktop computer. Please see the link to the survey below. Consent information is included at the beginning of the survey. Thank you!

Take the survey!

-Elizabeth Hobbs, Webster Groves High School (MO) Science Teacher

Upcoming events

The Gender-Inclusive Biology team will be presenting at the Science Educators for Equity, Diversity, and Social Justice conference January 28-February 1, 2021.

We’d love to hear from you! We have lots in store but are always looking for new ideas and hearing from folks who are looking for resources, collaboration, or support. We also welcome your feedback as we step into a new shiny email newsletter platform!

Happy New Year!! - Sam, River, and Lewis

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