Oregon Humanities Conversation Project: Bias and Kids – How Do Our Prejudices Affect Our Children?

Most people agree that children need healthy, loving, supportive environments to thrive. But, as parents, family members, teachers, neighbors, and voters—how do our biases influence how we interact with the children in our lives and communities? And, how do those biases influence how children perceive themselves and what they will become? During our conversation led by Verónika Nuñez and Kyrié Kellett, we will reflect on how our biases—conscious and unconscious, related to gender, race, class, culture, and other traits—shape everything from our subtle interactions with the kids we care for to the way we make political decisions that influence children in our society.

Kyrié Thompson Kellett is the founding principal at Mason Bee Interpretive Planning in Portland, Oregon. She specializes in developing new exhibits, programs, and federal grants in collaboration with community partners. She is a National Association for Interpretation Certified Interpretive Planner with over twenty years of experience developing learning experiences for science museums, the National Parks Service, arboreta, environmental organizations, and outdoor youth programs. Her work focuses on the interface of science and culture, building on a bachelor of arts in environmental studies and physics from Whitman College and a master of arts in applied anthropology from Northern Arizona University. When she’s not creating adventures for others, she enjoys exploring museums and natural areas with her husband, two kids, and extended family.

Verónika Núñez is an artist and educator, who lives in Portland, Oregon. She is originally from Venezuela, where she grew up and went to school. She specializes in creating programs, events, trainings, and educational experiences with an inclusion and diversity lens. She works for OMSI as a learning and community engagement specialist. Her focus is to work with communities that are not typically involved in science experiences. Through her work, she has participated in the co-creation of several exhibits and programs, including Sustainability, Designing Our World, and Eat Well, Play Well. She is also active in the theater community, where she has participated in more than twenty plays around the Portland Metro area in theaters like Milagro, Northwest Children’s Theater, and Lakewood. She is passionate about education, inclusion, and creating spaces for growth and the creative process. She is mom to Diego. They love soccer and board games.

This event is free and open to the public. For more information contact Amy at education@cooshistory.org

Click here for printable flier.

All events subject to change.