Education Program in Humboldt County Integrates Native American Technologies into the Classroom

Описание: A new education program called Pathmakers will be offering culturally responsive makerspace programming for native and non-native youth in grades K-12 throughout Humboldt County. The 4-year program was developed by the Blue Lake Rancheria, the Humboldt County Office of Education, and the Northern Humboldt Union High School District. “Cultural activities help Native American students learn about the cultural heritage, and feel a sense of pride,” Jason Ramos, Blue Lake Rancheria Councilmember, said.

The program is funded through a $2.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Indian Education, Native Youth Community Project (NYCP) Demonstration Grant Program.

In a makerspace, students use ideas from science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) to solve design challenges using a variety of tools and materials. Challenges can be theoretical or based on real world needs.

The Pathmakers curriculum will strive to bridge the gap between traditional Native technologies and maker activities using today’s technologies. Traditional Native technologies employed sophisticated techniques that are still in use today. One example is the Yurok plank house, which employed many of the same “passive solar” design techniques that are now frequently, and increasingly, used by builders today.

Pathmakers activities will help all students, native and non-native, learn about the history, culture, and technologies of the tribes in the region, from pre-colonization to today. The project team is working with K-12 students, college students, parents, teachers, tribal members, and regional native cultural and education experts to develop the programming.

The focus of the NYCP program is “college and career readiness.” For some students it can be difficult to remain engaged in conventional classrooms. Often, these students pay less attention in class and, in some cases, drop out of school entirely. Pathmakers employs hands-on activities that are more engaging and help students to “learn without knowing they are learning.” As studies show, when students are more engaged in school, they are more likely to persist in their learning and ultimately graduate and move on to college or employment.

“Makerspaces present challenges to youth that have more than one solution,” David Narum, Pathmakers Curriculum Coordinator, said. “There are multiple solutions, and students can use their creativity to come up with their own unique approach. It helps builds a sense of pride and self-efficacy.”

“The Pathmakers program gives students more choice and more ownership over the curriculum. The program allows them to bring their diverse experiences and interests to the makerspace,” said Alison Robbins, program director.

The K-8 grade Pathmakers program will be offered year-round through a mobile makerspace, a UPS-like truck that will go from school-to-school and camp-to-camp to deliver maker activities.
The high school (grades 9-12) program will be offered at Arcata and McKinleyville high schools. In fall 2019, the McKinleyville High School maker class will be building a tiny house that reflects Yurok design, including the incorporation of original passive solar design methods.

Producer, Writer: Andrea Marvin, Communications, Blue Lake Rancheria

Photographer, Editor: Toni Ramos, Creative Services, Blue Lake Rancheria