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ERIC Number: ED296819
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1988-Mar
Pages: 19
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Improving the Science and Mathematic Achievement of Mexican American Students Through Culturally Relevant Science. ERIC Digest.
Marinez, Diana I.; Ortiz de Montellano, Bernardo R.
There are many ways in which science can be made culturally relevant: archeoastronomy, mathematics, geology, ethnobotany, chemistry, and art can all be taught from a perspective celebrating the accomplishments of Mexican American and American Indian science and encouraging exploration. A culturally relevant curriculum provides teachers with resource materials and approaches allowing them to enable students to: develop pride in their culture's contribution to science, learn science from a familiar cultural base, be motivated to consider science as a career, and recognize the importance of science in their life. A joint project between the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science and the Project for Renewed Incentives in Science and Education in Los Angeles (California) is developing workshops to introduce teachers to culturally relevant materials and specific activities that can be used at different grade levels. Topics include Archeoastronomy, Maya Mathematics and Calendar, Geology, Feeding the World--Productivity of Food Plants, Herbal Medicine/Ethnobotany, Science and Creativity in the Diego Rivera Murals in Detroit, Botany and Mesoamerican Designs, and the Chemistry of Color. As science is stimulated, students typically not attracted to science careers will be more aware, and the differences in participation rate of minorities in science and engineering may increase. (JMM)
Publication Type: Opinion Papers; ERIC Publications; ERIC Digests in Full Text
Education Level: N/A
Audience: Practitioners
Language: English
Sponsor: Office of Educational Research and Improvement (ED), Washington, DC.
Authoring Institution: ERIC Clearinghouse on Rural Education and Small Schools, Las Cruces, NM.
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A