Share Paper: Leveraging Teachers’ Cultural and Place-Based Knowledge to Enhance STEM Learning

  1. Alan Buss, University of Wyoming, United States
  2. Jacqueline Leonard, University of Wyoming, United States
  3. Iva Moss-Redman, Fremont 38 School District, United States
Friday, April 10 11:45 AM-12:00 PM Room 7 - https://tinyurl.com/siteroom7

Abstract: Preparing underrepresented students with the STEM and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) skills needed to fill 21st century jobs is both a national priority and a social justice endeavor. While large-scale projects are often developed to address this endeavor, the importance of involving practicing teachers cannot be overlooked to incorporate culturally specific pedagogy and place-based curricula. This paper presents two case studies of how teachers’ cultural and place-based knowledge were leveraged to create STEM learning activities finely tuned to their students’ needs and backgrounds.