The Significance of “Yellow Ball” Moments for High STEM Achievement
In the 2015 blockbuster Disney Pixar film “Inside Out”, memories are portrayed as colored balls that are archived in our minds much like bowling balls at a bowling alley. The color of each ball is based on the emotion most closely associated with the memory. In the case of fond, joyful memories, yellow balls are created. A small number of yellow balls are special enough to be promoted to a “core memory” which then becomes an enduring pillar of our ever-evolving personality.
The dream of every parent, teacher, or mentor is to manifest positive learning experiences that are not only memorable (regular yellow balls) but also transformative (core memory yellow balls). This plot device is useful in describing those signature moments in a young person’s life that ignites a lifelong passion. As a dad, I can’t count how many STEM festivals and science fairs I attended with hopes that a chance encounter with a bristlebot or a bowl of Oobleck would yield a budding engineer or scientist!
Q: Why does this yellow-ball rhetoric matter, particularly for underrepresented STEM students?
It is safe to say that students and parents alike acknowledge the common perception that advanced math and physical sciences are among the most difficult academic courses and majors one can pursue. Couple that perception of difficulty with 1) pay disparities with computer science and “hot” fields linked to emerging technologies; 2) hyper-competitive environments fostered by international students, parents, and faculty/researchers; and 3) society’s bias and miseducation regarding innate intelligence possessed by certain ethnic groups, and it is understandable why even “gifted and talented” African American students are disincentivized to pursue the highest levels of STEM research and study.
As the “core memory” scene suggests in the movie, the positive experience literally shapes the child’s personality and sense of identity. This idea that a single, positive moment can forever shape one’s identity is foundational to normalizing STEM excellence in a young black mind. The more positive STEM moments that a student experiences increases the probability that a core, yellow-ball memory will be formed. Just one core memory is enough to sow seeds of intrigue and intellectual curiosity. Water those seeds over time with timely advice and a supportive STEM community and a student, any student for that matter, will be in an excellent position to compete at the highest levels of the most competitive STEM fields.
The good news is that many have made it to the highest levels and are happy to share their “yellow ball” moments. The Jobian Project is one vehicle to connect our best science students with those who can dispel many of the myths and negative perceptions, prepare them to win an unfair fight, and help them establish social networks composed of technical, managerial, and administrative leaders and advocates.
Please visit out our website to learn about TJP and help us increase African American representation in the most competitive classrooms, labs, and workplaces.
— DLD