Indgenous education and Science

[David riha]

Hi

My name is David and I am trying to incorporate traditional Indigenous knowledge within my Introduction to Science 011 unit (bridging course) at Curtin University in Perth Western Australia. The subject areas include Physics, Geology, Chemistry and Biology.

I was wondering if anyone out there has any resources or ideas that I can use.

K
Dave

[annettemcd]

One way to bring indigenous learning into the classroom would be to invite elders in the community to be involved. Have a topic for the elder to discuss or demonstrate and encourage your students to ask questions. Find out how the elder would feel the most comfortable --perhaps sitting in a circle and/or being outside. I know that many of the Alaska Native Elders do not teach by talking, but by demonstrating and then when the young person/student starts doing the activity him/her self, the corrections and teaching are done quietly, often without any words. It is teaching and learning through demonstration and imitation. Small groups or one-on-one interactions might work best. Inviting the elders to share their knowledge. Figure out ways for the students to share a task or a meal with elders inside and outside the school environment.

Students could learn the names, stories, and uses of local plants and animals. They could learn the names and stories of origin of local geologic features. I am not sure how to incorporate indigenous education into chemistry and physics.

More and more Alaskan schools are trying to incorporate indigenous education into the science curriculum. You might want to try to contact the teachers at Kokrine High School in Fairbanks, Alaska. It is a public, charter school that is doing this, as much as possible, in all classes.