American Indian Schools: Science Teacher Development, organized under the direction of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society, will enhance the general science background of 40 teachers, grades 5-8, from schools in which the majority of the students are American Indians. Over a three year period, teachers will develop and test classroom materials which interface science and the culture/tradition of American Indians. In the first summer, 20 teachers will attend the program at the Colorado School of Mines, study general science, meet and learn from prominent American Indian Scientists, and develop draft teacher materials employing cultural integration in science. After using, testing and evaluating these materials during the academic year, the teachers will return for a second summer science program, with 20 additional teachers. After refining the classroom materials the teachers will all use and evaluate the refined draft edition in the academic year. During the third summer 10 teachers will return to revise the volume of lesson plans and prepare it for distribution, through AISES, to teachers in 1200 American Indian schools. If American Indians are to realize increased participation in key scientific and technical positions, programs must be developed that significantly enhance the opportunity for American Indian youth to have high quality mathematics and science preparation. Increasing the knowledge and motivation of teachers is the best means of delivering a more knowledgeable students to college. This is critical to enlarging the pool of students eligible to participate in mathematical and scientific fields.
