Multiverse

Making space science accessible for all through inclusive STEM education programs.

[Bryan Mendez @bryanjmendez]

It's been 2 years since I completed Full Spectrum, a documentary short film highlighting under-represented space scientists.

Enjoy. Learn. Share.
https://t.co/sHm2ldKvYS

[Space Sciences Laboratory @ucbssl]

“This work was the very first use of the ICON tidal wind product. The product allowed Xinzhao’s team to calculate the flow of metal ions over Boulder. It’s a great example of how these tides seem to affect everything in space near Earth.” —Thomas Immel, PI of the ICON Mission.

[Bryan Mendez @bryanjmendez]

I'm teaching a new "Cultural Astronomy" course this summer at Cal, along with the old favorite "Intro to Astronomy."

If you, or any students you know, might be interested check out the course descriptions and sign up!

https://t.co/EbKRtBrSmq

[Bryan Mendez @bryanjmendez]

Our Full Spectrum film screening and panel discussion today of diversity in space science was very inspiring. Lots of great perspectives were shared. You can watch the recording on YouTube:
https://t.co/i0Q6IaYda7

[Bryan Mendez @bryanjmendez]

Celebrate #WomensHistoryMonth and #NASASolarWeek today with a special screening and discussion of Full Spectrum, my short-film highlighting under-represented space scientists.

Register at https://t.co/J1snl5sDQF

Or watch the Live-Stream here: https://t.co/06Ztqddwqs

[Bryan Mendez @bryanjmendez]

Join us in 2 days (3-26) for a special screening of the NASA-funded short film Full Spectrum, followed by a discussion with several of the featured scientists. Register https://t.co/J1snl5sDQF. All are welcome to attend & ask questions. Content suitable for middle school and up.

[Bryan Mendez @bryanjmendez]

Join us in 1 week (3-26) for a special screening of the NASA-funded short film Full Spectrum, followed by a discussion with several of the featured scientists. Register https://t.co/J1snl5sDQF. All are welcome to attend & ask questions. Content suitable for middle school and up.

[Bryan Mendez @bryanjmendez]

Join us in 2 weeks (3-26) for a special screening of the NASA-funded short film Full Spectrum, followed by a discussion with several of the featured scientists. Register https://t.co/J1snl5sDQF. All are welcome to attend & ask questions. Content suitable for middle school and up.

[Solar Week @SolarWeek]

Join Solar Week Mar. 26th for a special screening of the NASA-funded short film Full Spectrum, followed by a discussion with several of the featured scientists. Register https://t.co/o9V0RIOO3C. All are welcome to attend & ask questions. Content suitable for middle school and up.

[Bryan Mendez @bryanjmendez]

Meet a diversity of brilliant scientists studying the wonders of the Universe in Full Spectrum

#BlackHistoryMonth
#WomenInScience
#RepresentationMatters

https://t.co/sHm2ldKvYS

[Bryan Mendez @bryanjmendez]

Today is the New Moon and the start of the #ChineseNewYear in Asia.

It's sometimes called #LunarNewYear

Several calendars (e.g. Islamic and Jewish) are purely based on the phases of the Moon. The Chinese calendar also contains solar rules.

https://t.co/55NqgDdZnE

[National Museum of the American Indian @SmithsonianNMAI]

#Teachers of upper elementary and middle school students (grades 5 – 8) in the subjects of history, social studies, and STEAM: Join us for a free #webinar on the ways in which the Maya have used the Sun to track time for thousands of years. Register: https://t.co/9mulQiW8mc

[Bryan Mendez @bryanjmendez]

Today's celebrations both have astronomical roots: #GroundhogDay (cross-quarter day), and dia de la candelaria (winter solstice).

We'll be celebrating by eating tamales we made during Christmas and watching the classic 1993 film starring Bill Murray.

https://t.co/7U8vJ1NVdh

[Bryan Mendez @bryanjmendez]

As a follow-up to my article on the diversity of STEM characters in popular movies, I put together a list of popular movie characters from groups under-represented in STEM (in real life and the movies).

#RepresentationMatters

https://t.co/p2jw9lrkDs

[Bryan Mendez @bryanjmendez]

Movies reflect our cultural values. If we truly value the diversity of human experience, then let's portray that on screen.

[Bryan Mendez @bryanjmendez]

Increasing the diversity of STEM characters specifically can have a positive effect on society. The movies can provide much needed role models for people who—more often than not—don’t see others like themselves in STEM roles.

[Bryan Mendez @bryanjmendez]

Lack of STEM diversity in film could be a reflection of real-world disparities: art imitating life. However, the majority of films are fiction, depicting what could be rather than what is. Why do they only imagine worlds where STEM is mostly the realm of white men?

[Bryan Mendez @bryanjmendez]

And most importantly, brilliance is rarely a key to success in STEM. Passion, determination, perseverance, and hard work are usually much more important characteristics for success in STEM careers.

[Bryan Mendez @bryanjmendez]

Role models have a powerful influence on the development of STEM identity (being able to imagine yourself in a STEM profession). Fictional role models can have similar influence. That’s especially powerful for people without easy, direct access to a lot of STEM professionals.

[Bryan Mendez @bryanjmendez]

I've finally written up a summary of my project examining the diversity of STEM characters in the movies.

Enjoy!

Spoiler Alert: They're not diverse, and we should fix that.

https://t.co/LGO3Z1Re8k