Planning for Culturally Revitalizing Science Instruction Using 'Ōlelo No'eau

• In Event: 18.058 - MTCC Roundtable Session Four
  In Roundtable Session: 18.058-10 - Setting the Record Straight in the Post-Truth Era: The Importance of Indigenous Research and Praxis I

Abstract

It is the kuleana (responsibility) of K-12 science educators to create intellectually safe, culturally responsive spaces. The design and implementation of curricula that provide‘ōiwi (Native Hawaiian) students and their classmates opportunities to simultaneously use western and indigenous ways of knowing allow them to make sense of natural phenomena and situate Hawaiʻi as a scientific and cultural landscape. This study explores how science educators can connect ʻōlelo no‘eau (Hawaiian proverbs), many of which illuminate natural phenomena, with science concepts, to improve science understandings, strengthen cultural identity and competency, and increase sociopolitical consciousness. Findings reveal that educators selected ‘ōlelo no‘eau that connect science concepts to Hawaiian sense of place, pertain to natural phenomena in life, earth and space science, and emphasize community responsibility.

Author

• Kirsten K. N. Mawyer, University of Hawaii - Manoa