ERIC Number: EJ1455172
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 19
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: EISSN-2167-1230
Available Date: N/A
Listening to Learn: Using a Talking Circle Approach to Understand the Indigenous STEM Student Experience
Cutcha Risling Baldy; H. Eve Robinson; Adrienne Colegrove-Raymond; Marlene' Dusek; Nievita Bueno Watts; Melitta Jackson; Amy E. Sprowles
Science Education and Civic Engagement, v16 n2 p70-88 2024
Indigenous students often see higher education as a means by which they can meet their familial, community, and cultural responsibilities. Unfortunately, many collegiate institutions emphasize values and social protocols, a way of understanding, and a way of knowing that are unfamiliar and even hostile to Indigenous worldviews. To better understand the experience of Native and Indigenous STEM Students at our institution, we listened to students, alumni, faculty, and staff through a series of online forums modeled on the Indigenous tradition of Talking Circles. The discussion from participants in the Talking Circles resulted in 464 coded responses characterized as supports, barriers, and ideas in STEM. The results show how Indigenous students benefit from the integration of cultural wealth that resides in Indigenous knowledge, practices, and protocols. We have also gained insights into the importance of an Indigenized campus culture and have time-tested and effective programs that teach us how to promote such a culture. We review the major themes identified and provide recommendations to others interested in supporting Indigenous students in STEM.
Descriptors: American Indian Students, STEM Education, College Students, Student Experience, Culturally Relevant Education, Barriers, Indigenous Knowledge, School Culture, Rural Schools, College Faculty, Alumni
National Center for Science and Civic Engagement. 114 Post Street, Saugerties, NY 12477. Web site: http://new.seceij.net/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: National Science Foundation (NSF)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: California
Grant or Contract Numbers: 2040991
Author Affiliations: N/A