Teaching Science in an Aboriginal Context

• In Event: Poster Session 4
  In Poster Session: Examining Engagement in Science Across People, Places, and Time

Abstract

The values and philosophy held by many Aboriginal people and communities makes the issue of increasing Aboriginal participation in science and technology a particularly thorny and urgent one. Science curricula, in particular, tend to focus on Western science and in so doing ignore Indigenous epistemologies and aspirations. This study explored the implementation of a science outreach program in an Aboriginal school in Ontario, Canada. The findings reported here focuses on the research that dealt with teachers' views on teaching and learning of science at the school. Findings highlight the need for relevance in Aboriginal schools, the importance of knowledge transfer in Aboriginal schools and communities, and teacher confidence as an important factor in teaching science at this school.

Authors

• Isha DeCoito

• Wanja Gitari, OISE/University of Toronto