Race/Ethnicity, Gender, and the Intel Westinghouse Science Award: A 16-Year Descriptive Analysis

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

11-9-2020

Department

Educational Research and Administration

School

Education

Abstract

The model minority stereotype of Asian Americans suggests that they are overrepresented in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. This article considers 16 years of Intel Westinghouse Science Award finalists (n = 640) data procured online. The data are analyzed to determine whether there are racial/ethnic or gender patterns among the finalists. Social Network Theory informs data analysis and interpretation of results. Findings suggest that homophily, the tendency for people/institutions to interact with similar others, contributes to the demographic patterns of the Intel Westinghouse finalists. Contrary to the expectation that White males from private boarding schools are the most likely to be Intel Westinghouse Science Award finalists, the data indicate that Asian American males who attend public schools are significantly more likely to be finalists.

Publication Title

SN Social Sciences

Volume

1

Issue

10

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