Previous research has shown that socio-psychological interventions are effective at mitigating some of the negative factors, such as stereotype threat, that result in racial, gender, and first generation achievement gaps in STEM classrooms. This activity is an intervention to instill a growth mindset in students in a STEM classroom.

Growth Mindset is the belief that abilities and traits can be developed through strategic efforts and hard work, and are not simply innate or fixed. This is especially important for members of social groups that are negatively stereotyped by harmful and inaccurate messages about the innate intelligence or abilities needed to succeed in STEM disciplines. This activity has students write or discuss the science behind intelligence and its development.