Geoscience and Native American Culture: A field experience for Native American High School Students

An opportunity for Native American high school students

Conduct a variety of geoscience studies

Travel from Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan to the Black Hills in southwest South Dakota

For more information contact:

Paul Kelso pkelso@lssu.edu 906-635-2158
Lew Brown lbrown@lssu.edu 906-635-2155
Stephanie Sabatine ssabatine@lssu.edu 906-632-6841
Matt Spencer mspencer1@lssu.edu 906-635-2085

Project Summary

Lake Superior Sate University will conduct a one to two week long summer geoscience field experience with a target audience of Native-American high school students. Lake Superior State University (LSSU) is a state supported university located in Michigan's eastern Upper Peninsula where there is a substantial Native American population - e.g., approximately one third of the local high school students are Native American as is nearly 10% of the LSSU student body. Students participating in this new program will be engaged in activities that integrate selected geoscience concepts with indigenous cultures, knowledge, and native ways of knowing. The field-based studies developed will require students to problem-solve, think critically, utilize methodologies that model scientific endeavors, and will provide a focus for the acquisition and application of geoscience concepts. Students will use technology including computers to assist their learning of geologic concepts and the solving of geologic problems along with developing their technological expertise. Geoscience field studies will be conducted at a variety of localities, including a number of sties selected because of the interesting geologic features in addition to their having special significance to Native Americans (such as: Bear Butte, SD; Pipestone, MN, Devil's Tower, WY; Badlands and Black Hills, SD; Great Lakes and Mississippi river systems; etc.). Students will integrate Native American explanations of physical phenomena with scientific explanations so that they individually construct the linkage between ways of thinking scientifically and ways of knowing from within their culture. Students will develop an understanding of the relevance of geoscience in their lives and in their communities. The selected activities will promote student's self confidence in pursuing geoscience knowledge and its applications to actual geologic problems. High school student participants will work directly with Lake Superior State University faculty and students and other experts to successfully solve geologic problems. This program will increase students understanding of the geosciences, to increase their interest and confidence in attending university, and provide a strong background from participants to enroll in a university-level geoscience program.