The Fish Weir: A Culturally Relevant STEM Activity
Description
Curriculum and instructional strategies that are personally meaningful are key to engaging students from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
A “one size fits all” approach to curriculum development does not always translate to accessible education for many students, particularly in science,
technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. Meaningful and relevant activities that demonstrate a direct application of STEM to the lives of students or their communities can increase engagement in STEM. Specifically, students are more likely to relate to instructional activities
that draw on historical references, descriptions, examples, and analogies related to their communities. For example, Native American students have been traditionally marginalized in STEM education, yet tribes throughout North America have STEM-rich histories that provide many examples upon which engaging lessons can be developed.
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