Bulletin of the American Physical Society
APS April Meeting 2020
Volume 65, Number 2
Saturday–Tuesday, April 18–21, 2020; Washington D.C.
Session L07: Acknowledging African and Indigenous Peoples' Contributions to Physics and AstronomyDiversity Invited Live Undergrad Friendly
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Sponsoring Units: COM Chair: Geraldine Cochran, Rutgers University Room: Roosevelt 2 |
Sunday, April 19, 2020 3:30PM - 3:57PM Live |
L07.00001: What is STEM and who gets to decide what scientific history is known? Invited Speaker: Ximena Cid It is widely recognized that there is a need to recruit and retain peoples from marginalized communities in the STEM fields. Many programs and support are geared toward the preparation and content knowledge of the field. However, we rarely ask ourselves why the numbers are so few to begin with. In formal education, the history of STEM is often told from a Euro-centric perspective leaving out the contributions of Indigenous, African, and other marginalized communities. This can impact one’s ability to see themselves as something outside of the traditional doctor, lawyer, or engineer. When exposure is limited it is very difficult to imagine yourself in a role you have never known. As more Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) become aware of their scientific history and contributions, this ignites a passion to pursue a career in STEM fields. This talk will focus on a personal journey to remind the space/astro/physics communities that BIPOC have had centuries of scientific knowledge. It also will include how to include this knowledge in formal university course content. [Preview Abstract] |
Sunday, April 19, 2020 3:57PM - 4:24PM Live |
L07.00002: Parallel Migration: Dogon People and the Incas Invited Speaker: Gerceida Jones The cliffs of Bandiagara and Machu Picchu have been recognized as a mixed natural and cultural world heritage sites because of their astronomical significance. The goal of this research was to investigate the migration patterns of the Dogon People and Incas in a comparative framework using their origin stories and the astronomical structures and or artifacts left behind. An abundant amount of information has been recovered and collected from many of the older wise men and priests, who have preserved their oral traditions as well as data from archaeological research about their cosmologies. The rituals and ceremonies performed at the time of the construction of the monolithic dome to mark the seasons by the Incas and preserved pottery markings by the Dogon are proof that these ancient people clearly understood their connection to the universe. Migration patterns of both people indicate that they fled invaders to avoid religious persecution and or maintain their culture. Despite their transcontinental movements and hardships associated with these long journeys in distance and time, the Peruvians like the Dogon People are resilient, industrious, creative, and masters of universal truths, otherwise, their footprints would not be so intriguing to people the world over. [Preview Abstract] |
Sunday, April 19, 2020 4:24PM - 4:51PM Live |
L07.00003: Decolonizing Thought: What Physics has to do with that? Invited Speaker: Katemari Rosa In this presentation, we will discuss decolonizing thought, what it means, and how it relates to physics. I will argue that acknowledging African and Indigenous peoples' contributions to physics and astronomy is essential for a decolonized science and may contribute to the development of a new (and better) science. [Preview Abstract] |
Sunday, April 19, 2020 4:51PM - 5:18PM |
L07.00004: Panel Discussion Invited Speaker: PANEL DISCUSSION Panel Discussion [Preview Abstract] |
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