Spence Upper School Science Teacher and Global Action Research Collaborative (GARC) Fellow Aruna Chavali presented her findings at the International Coalition of Girls’ Schools (ICGS) Conference in June. Chavali’s research paper, Fostering Grade 9 Girls' Sense of Belonging Through the Use of Collaborative Lab Practicums As Authentic Assessments in Science, earned Honorable Mention. 

Chavali, who teaches physics and helps lead the Independent Science Research Fellowship program for Upper School students, investigated how hands-on, collaborative problem-solving skills that are strengthened in classroom labs can help foster a sense of belonging. In her research, Chavali found the following: “The literature further provides three guiding principles for fostering a sense of belonging: interpersonal relationships, discipline identity, and a growth mindset. Data from this action research project indicate that collaborative lab practicums cultivate discipline identity and promote a growth mindset, thus accomplishing two of the three guiding principles for fostering a sense of belonging.”

Congratulations, Aruna!