Poster #63 - Culturally Relevant STEM Education for Native American Youth: A Critical Component for Community Self-Governance

• In Event: 79.052 - MTCC Poster Session 19
  In Poster Session: 79.052-8 - Informal Learning Environments Research Poster Session

Abstract

Today, the Coeur d’Alene Basin contains over 100 million metric tons of toxic metals as a result of historical mining activities. Metal contamination has significantly impacted the livelihood and sovereignty of the Tribal community that has inhabited the Basin since time immemorial. Interdisciplinary adaptive strategies inclusive of STEM education, natural science, and communication have been implemented to enhance the capacity of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe to self-govern their contaminated waterways. In this paper, I articulate the context of a STEM education study, which served to enhance community self-governance through a culturally-relevant STEM education program for Native American youth.

Authors

• Kathleen Torso, University of Idaho

• Anne L. Kern, University of Idaho