The U.S. Department of the Interior describes the term “diversity” broadly to refer to many demographic variables, including, but not limited to, race, religion, color, gender, national origin origin, disability, sexual orientation, age, education, geographical origin and skills characteristics. America's diversity has given this country its unique strength, resilience, and richness. (doi.gov)Diversity comes in many different guises. Achievement gaps were identified across race and ethnicity, as well as gender, socioeconomic status, learning differences, disability, and limited English language proficiency. The key to remember is that teachers should believe that all students can learn and that they should also “promote excellence and innovation in science education for all.” (NSTA) Teachers and all stakeholders in students' academic careers must believe that all students can learn equally. Our classroom climate and the teaching strategies we use must provide equitable opportunities for all students. In doing so, we must “value and respect the experiences that students bring from their backgrounds, articulate students' background knowledge with disciplinary knowledge, and offer sufficient classroom resources to support student learning. To do this, we need to shine a light on diversity. In attempting to do this, we must be aware that a disconnect can occur between students' home and school life. “Effective teachers understand how disconnections can vary between different groups of students and how to make the most of connections. These teachers connect students' diverse background knowledge and experiences with scientific knowledge and practices. (NSTA) To articulate a student's expert background... half of the paper... to achieve such careers. Unless teachers create equitable learning experiences, students will be excluded from learning science. Those students would ultimately lose their ability to pursue careers in science.Referencesdoi.gov. (n.d.). Retrieved March 13, 2013, from the U.S. Department of the Interior website: http://www.doi.gov/pmb/eeo/what-is-diversity.cfmNational Science Teacher Association (NSTA). (2006a). About NSTA.NRC. (2011). A framework for K-12 science education: Practices, cross-cutting themes, and core ideas. National Research Council. Washington: DC: National Academies Press.NSTA. (n.d.). Retrieved March 14, 2014, from the National Science Teacher Association: www.nsta.orgStrategies for Teaching Culturally Diverse Students. (n.d.). Retrieved March 2014 from Teachervision.com: https://www.teachervision.com/teaching-methods/resource/6039.html