Promoting Women in Physics Through Storytelling Poster Sessions

Knowledge is better assimilated and remembered when framed in a story. At Saint Joseph's University, two poster sessions showcasing the role of women and other under-represented communities in physics were held on both campuses of Saint Joseph's University. Participating students came from the two Introductory Physics courses, Modern Physics and Statistical Mechanics. Storytelling can enhance the learning of physics by providing context, promoting student engagement and promoting diversity by celebrating the unique contributions of physicists from different cultures, ethnicities and gender. As part of course requirements, students researched biographies of physicists and gave a 5-7 minute poster presentation summarizing the physicist of their choice. Students were asked to frame stories according to the 4 C's of storytelling (character, conflict, context, conquest) and focus on what motivated physicists to study physics in their youth, what unique challenges they faced, their contributions and hobbies apart from physics, and how they interacted with other scientists in their time. We will report on student responses and reactions to this effort, based on blind surveys, exam results and general observations.

Website: https://sites.google.com/sju.edu/sjuwomeninphysicsclub/home