Diverse teams and recognizing biases

Teams around the world are learning that different perspectives, backgrounds, and knowledge are the key to increasing the innovation and creativity of the group. It is also in the forefront of our society that we still hold biases (even unintentionally) toward who we hire, who we interact with, and who we see as equals. There is much work to be done individually as well as within organizations to find and recognize our biases and address them so that we are creating a just and equitable world for all. It can start with recognizing the achievements, potential, and worth of all groups of people, especially those who have faced systemic racism and inequality such as Black, Indigenous, and other Persons of Colour, and other minorities facing discrimination (women, LGBTQ+, etc.). It can continue with us working together and celebrating that our differences are what give us the strength to face the problems of the future.

Providing role models

It is well known that children and youth with a role model to look up to are more likely to have higher self esteem and to pursue further achievements. However, in many fields of work it is still difficult for children to picture someone other than the typical figure in the roles. For example, if you ask a student to picture a doctor, scientist, or astronaut, it is still likely that the student will draw a picture of a White, male professional. When students do not see someone they can directly relate to represented in the field or in their career of interest it can lead to lower self esteem and less interest in carrying on further. Presenting children and youth with more diverse role models allows for all students to better picture themselves in exciting roles and to build up their confidence and self worth, as well as also educating the general public on the achievements of others.

Our project

We created an early plan for the building of a physical or application based game for learners ages 12 and up. The game itself involves four stages in which the players work together to select Astronauts for a mission aboard the ISS, to go to the moon, or to Mars, and then test their crew with randomized scenarios based on real research and challenges that have or could occur on a space exploration mission. Each astronaut has a profile in the game based on their experience, knowledge, and skills pulled from their NASA profiles. The profile then can be used to address the scenarios and generate a percentage likelihood of successfully beating a scenario. The more well equipped your team, the more likely your mission will succeed. We hope that through a gameified process, the players will be learning more about the diverse pool of astronauts that we have in our various space programs and learn about new role models that they may not have heard of. Players will learn how the most successful teams and projects are those that have members with various backgrounds, perspectives, and approach. This will be done through direct gameplay as well as tips and advice gathered from successful astronauts and leaders in other fields around the world to relate the space exploration back to teams in our everyday lives. Through playing the game, learners will address their own biases and reflect on how they view others, as well as working towards creating diverse teams in their own lives.