Culturewise Pathways to Indigenous STEM Education: Broadening Indigenous Participation in STEM Education

• In Event: Reframing Higher Education for Indigenous Peoples: Embracing Indigenous Perspectives and Empowering Future Generations

Abstract

"Culturewise Pathways to Indigenous STEM Education" was designed to surface discussions and solutions for broadening Indigenous participation in STEM. Over three days, 30 Indigenous and academic leaders engaged in dialogues that explored integrating local ecological knowledge (LEK) with STEM education, focusing on culturally relevant pedagogy and community collaboration. The convening addressed historical barriers and proposed innovative strategies for enhancing educational experiences for Indigenous students. Findings highlight the need for interdisciplinary approaches and strong community partnerships to create effective and inclusive STEM education. This paper presents these insights and strategies, aiming to inform and guide future efforts in STEM education reform.

Authors

• Jonathan Boxerman, WestEd

• Sharon Nelson-Barber, WestEd

• Janet Gordon, Abt Associates