This planning grant is concerned with the development of culturally relevant mathematics and science curriculum for Native Americans. The project involves two trips to gather information for the development of a full research proposal. The investigators are to take two Native American students to the University of Illinois to study techniques developed in the Calculus/Mathematica Project. The ultimate goal of this project is the determination of methods for making educational software and, in general, the traditional mathematics and science curriculum more relevant for Native Americans. This grant also funds travel by the principal investigators to the Mathematics and Educational Reform Workshop to be held at the University of Arizona, March 21-24, 1991. This project represents a significant step in terms of attracting and retaining Native Americans in the science and engineering pipeline. Often Native American tribal customs prevent young children from learning mathematics and science in the traditional Western manner. The focus of this project is to find methods for introducing cultural relevance into educational software for Native Americans. It is recognized that there is a vast variety of Native American tribes and customs. This project focuses on the Lummi tribe with a view towards methods for extending the techniques for other tribes.
