The F.O.B. Project: Reclaiming “Fresh Off the Boat”

• In Event: Practicing Social Justice in Our Own Communities: Serving Filipina/o American Students

Abstract

Objectives

This paper explores The F.O.B. Project’s impact on Filipino cultural revival, inter-ethnic relations, and community empowerment. The F.O.B. Project is an educational partnership that promotes cultural Filipino pride and empowerment, science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and culture-based education, environmental advocacy, and real-world application through the building and sailing of an indigenous Filipino boat. It is a journey in reclaiming our seafaring roots and converts a derogatory term toward immigrants “FOB” or Fresh off the boat” into a symbol of pride.

Theory

Filipinos are the largest ethnic group in Hawaii (US Census, 2010). Despite their dominant numbers, they are a disenfranchised group (Okamura, 2009). In K-12 education, Filipinos are the second largest ethnic group and "underrepresented in academic achievement and postsecondary learning” (Race to the Top, 2011). Filipinos often lack a positive ethnic identity and face stereotypes that reinforce self-hatred, discrimination and pit local and immigrant Filipinos against each other (Nadal, 2009). Schools do little to foster cultural knowledge, pride, relations, and empowerment among Filipino youth.

Culture, STEM-education, and community partnerships counter these negative trends. When content is framed within a cultural context, learning is more meaningful; students are engaged resulting in academic achievement (Gay, 2010). STEM research (Cajete, 1994; Agelidou, 2010) indicate that project-based real-world problem solving in mathematics and science increases student motivation, engagement, and critical thinking skills. Furthermore, meaningful hands-on social activities for “at-risk” youth reduces behavioral problems, foster supportive social bonds, develops belonging and positive self-esteem (Wegner et al., 2010).

Methods/Data Sources

The F.O.B Project is a partnership among Bangka High School (pseudonym), higher education, Hawaii and Philippine-based organizations. Bangka High School is located in a low socioeconomic community with majority students Filipino, high dropout rates and low assessment scores. Three out of the identified eight gangs on campus are Filipino.

The F.O.B project launches in October 2013 offering teacher professional development with a year-long sequence of combined student courses ( STEM, Ilokano language and culture) to design, build, and sail the Filipino boat. The project will provide this programming after-school to gang youth.

Quantitative data on student attendance, course completion, and mentorships will be collected. Qualitative data using focus group interviews will examine impact on cultural pride and inter-ethnic relations. Together these will measure student engagement, attitudes, and achievement with the project. Using surveys, the study will solicit feedback from its eleven partners on community engagement and impact.

Results and Significance

The preliminary findings show the F.O.B Project has resulted in increased engagement and empowerment in the targeted Filipino community and beyond. The act of grant-writing to support the project has inspired a grassroots campaign of diverse stakeholders to revive Filipino culture, arts, and environment.

The F.O.B. Project is more than building a boat. Implications from the FOB Project will address larger questions around what does social justice work look like, how do we know it is successful, and how it provides a model for social justice and education grounded in community.

Authors

• Patricia E. Halagao, University of Hawaii - Manoa

• Elena Clariza, University of Hawaii - Manoa

• Diane Tom-Ogata, Farrington High School