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July 10, 2001
Imaginarium Draws on Native Wisdom
The vast state of Alaska gives new meaning to the word "rural."
Isolated communities are rich in native cultural knowledge and
tradition, but often lack resources for teaching science in the schools
and promoting public science literacy. Children grow up with few
opportunities to become aware of medical or other scientific careers,
and native Alaskans are underrepresented in the sciences.
With a new grant from HHMI, the Imaginarium, a science museum in
Anchorage, intends to bring the excitement of do-it-yourself science to
villages and communities throughout Alaska.
A Science Outreach Caravan will transport interactive exhibits,
science kits, tabletop displays and assembly demonstrations to
classrooms and community centers, where school children and their
families will be encouraged to touch and try. Teachers and teacher
aides will participate in workshops where they will learn ways to
engage students in activities that teach the scientific principles of
observing, conceptualizing, hypothesizing, and collecting and analyzing
data.
Teacher aides, recruited from the local communities, will already be
known and respected by the school children's families. Familiar with
tribal and native traditions, they will help incorporate into the
science curriculum relevant local experience-the speed of a kayak
paddled with or against the current, for example, or the life cycle of
a familiar fish or bird. The Imaginarium also will seek input from
local elders and an advisory committee of cultural leaders, educators
and scientists.
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Howard Hughes
