Bridging Indigenous and Traditional Scientific Approaches:
Findings and Next Steps

The Uranium and Radiation Education Project
The project was launched in late September 2000, with the review of existing curriculum and an Advisory Committee meeting to guide project direction. To date, the project team has collected, reviewed, and will compile relevant science and environmental curriculum and educational materials to be utilized by teachers who attend the workshops in early 2001. Advisory Committee members (that included Navajo government staff, educators, Hopi representatives, and academics) suggested a broad-based education program to cover the social, historical, environmental, economic, and cultural aspects of uranium mining in the Navajo Nation. The goal is to provide students with the tools and analytical skills to understand key aspects of the mining legacy and be able to make informed decisions about such future activities that will impact their communities.

During the next phase of the project, relevant curricula will be assembled and distributed to teachers attending workshops. Project staff will follow-up with these teachers, even visiting some of the schools, to ensure they have the tools and skills to implement the program. New materials will be developed for the program based upon the need and available resources.