NSF-OEDG Manoomin Science Camp Project: A Model for Engaging American Indian Students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

ABSTRACT

The Manoomin “wild rice” Science Camp program, a partnership between the University of Minnesota, the Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College, and the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa is an example of how a community-based participatory research project can become the catalyst for STEM learning for an entire community, providing effective learning opportunities for grades 5–12 and undergraduate students, elementary and secondary school teachers, and scientists from the reservation, tribal college, and university. Focusing the research on a resource (wild rice) that has important economic, cultural and spiritual meaning for a community, we promote place-based education and support the development of strong science/teacher/community partnerships. Key components of this approach are the Circle of Learning, a conceptual framework that emphasizes trust- and relationship-building between researchers, teachers, students, and American Indian community members, and the Seven Elements of STEM Learning, a pedagogical framework derived from an extensive review of the literature on American Indian education that focuses on a holistic approach to learning that emphasizes the whole student.

Key words::

• informal science
• American Indian/Native American
• place-based
• hands-on
• traditional knowledge
• traditional culture
• student research

Acknowledgments

This project was supported by NSF awards 0949962 and 0914694. We thank our external evaluation team headed by Dr. Mary E. McEathron. The evaluation team included Hanife Cakici, Vidhya Shanker, and Elizabeth Mena. We also thank Gillian Roehrig, the Associate Editor and anonymous reviewers for their constructive comments.