Graphic Novels Ignite Imagination in the Sciences

Nicole J. Hoback

Reference: 

Gubnitskaia, V. & Smallwood, C. (2014). How to STEM: Science, Technology,

Engineering, and Math Education in Libraries. Lanham, Maryland: The Scarecrow Press, INC.

Summary:

In chapter 14, “Graphic Novels Ignite Imagination in the Sciences,” graphic novels and how they can further advance opportunities for minorities and girls in STEM programs is examined. Historically African Americans and Native Americans are not represented well in many programs across the U.S. Researchers examine how scientific based graphic novels and characters represented can ignite change in these programs, encouraging minorities and girls to become more interested in science. The purpose of these graphic novels is to enrich imagination and curiosity. Unlike videos and CDs, which discuss science based programs, graphic novels allow readers to flip back and forth through the pages examining the images and going back if needed. Max Axiom is an African American graphic novel character and one of many rising in popularity to try and capture minorities. Along with minorities not being represented, women represent only 18% of graduating engineering students across the nation (p. 142). When librarians do attempt to ask girls if they would like to read a graphic novel, the wide response is, “those are boys books.” The idea of graphic novels and whom they are for needs to be the forefront of change. Generally graphic novels and comics have often been seen as non-education material, but it is up to public and school libraries to change this ideology, allowing students to feel more comfortable gaining educational knowledge from these resources.

Evaluation:

I was initially drawn to this reading, because the academic library I am reading has a growing graphic novel collection and one that all students across the board are borrowing on a regular basis. This type of collection is one that I am very interested in and what draws students of all ages to these resources. The study demonstrated that women and minorities are sorely represented in these STEM programs, which is a shame. Reading the progression that these programs are making to improve these circumstances is encouraging. Hopefully with libraries encouraging more unconventional resources of educational outreach and with women and minorities being represented on a broader basis, diversity improvements will follow.