Teacher candidates in the EDPJ 2000 Science & Technology in Primary Junior class participated in Visions of Science’s “Equity in STEM Instruction in Ontario Classrooms” workshop with an additional “Hair & Hustle” module, learning how Culturally Responsive and Relevant Pedagogy can be woven into daily STEM lessons and align with the Ontario curriculum.
At 91ɫ’s Faculty of Education, teacher candidates are continually invited to rethink what teaching and learning can look like in today’s diverse classrooms. A recent workshop “Equity in STEM Instruction in Ontario Classrooms”, featuring the interactive Hair & Hustle module offered a powerful example of how Culturally Responsive and Relevant Pedagogy (CRRP) can transform STEM education.
Partnering for Change: Visions of Science
Course Director, Nadia Qureshi, partnered with Visions of Science, a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing equity in STEM. Visions of Science guests Jawahir Mohamud, Manager of In-School Programs & Partnerships, and Ali Raza, Senior Specialist in Curriculum Integration, facilitated the workshop.
Visions of Science works with schools, families, educators, and community partners to increase access to STEM learning for Black and racialized youth from low-income communities. Nadia shared “As a researcher in science education, I have investigated the ways in which equity and anti-racism impact student experiences in science learning. The findings show incorporating equity and anti-racism is foundational to meaningful science experiences for Black and racialized youth. So, organizations like Visions of Science are excellent resources to introduce teacher-candidates to in their journey.”
Centring Equity in STEM Learning
The session focused on how Culturally Responsive and Relevant Pedagogy (CRRP) can be meaningfully integrated into everyday STEM teaching while remaining aligned with the Ontario Science Curriculum. Teacher candidates explored how STEM is not confined to labs, but instead exists in everyday life and lived experiences.
Through Visions of Science’s adaptable 30-minute modules, participants saw how equity-centred lessons can be seamlessly embedded into classroom practice.
Learning Through "Hair & Hustle"
The highlight of the workshop was the hands-on Hair & Hustle module. Teacher candidates were challenged to create their own hair care products using accessible, everyday ingredients such as coconut oil, shea butter, aloe vera, avocado oil, and glycerin. This activity opened the door to rich scientific inquiry, from exploring solute and solvent interactions to understanding protein structures in hair. Crucially, it also grounded science in culturally meaningful contexts.
Bridging Science and Identity
For teacher candidates who may feel uncertain about teaching science the workshop was transformative. It reframed science as something familiar and accessible.
By connecting concepts to everyday practices like hair care or cooking, participants began to recognize that they have always been engaging with science, even if it wasn’t previously framed that way. This realization builds confidence while expanding what counts as scientific knowledge.
“When students see their identities reflected in what they learn, it fosters a deeper sense of belonging and curiosity,” Nadia reflected.
Voices from the Classroom
Teacher candidates also reflected on the workshop’s impact:
“I really enjoyed the Hair & Hustle workshop. As a hijabi, it reminded me how important it is to take care of and maintain the health of our hair, even when it’s covered… The inclusion of different hair textures made the activity feel reflective of the diversity in the room. It was practical, accessible, and empowering.”
—&Բ;Huda Ali, PJ Teacher Candidate
“This workshop introduced me to a creative way of interacting with science… Hair care is a critical part of Black culture, identity, and pride. This experiment demonstrated how culturally responsive approaches can meaningfully integrate diverse backgrounds into teaching and learning.”
—&Բ;Nimo Jimale, PJ Teacher Candidate
Looking Ahead
Workshops like this invite future educators to reimagine STEM as a space where science, culture, and identity intersect. By embedding equity into the foundation of teaching practice, 91ɫ teacher candidates are equipped to create classrooms where every student can see themselves as scientists.