Blackfeet Mathematics and Science Education Improvement Project

This project will improve the quality of mathematics and science education on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation through a multi-faceted program: 1) A two day reservation- wide conference designed to bring together various community groups, along with state officials, university system personnel, and national leaders; 2) four intensive two-week summer workshops for local educators, students from BCC, and interested community members; 3) eight 1 to 2 day workshops during the regular academic year for local educators, students from BCC, and interested community members; 4) the piloting of a Mathematics and Science Associate Degree program involving 10 Blackfeet students. The reservation wide conference will include: education policy makers such as school board members and district administrators, Bureau of Indian Affairs and Indian Health Service officials, Tribal Elders, Montana State University personnel, and officials from the Office of Public Instruction; nationally known Indian educators and scientists; local teachers, parents and students. The focus will be the current state of math/science education on the Blackfeet Reservations. The summer workshops for 16 teachers and 10 students will study new methods for improving math/science education among American Indian students and adaptation of activities to the Blackfeet culture. The academic year workshops will acquaint 20 educators with nationally known math/science curriculum projects; their content and pedagogy. An unusual feature of the project is having Blackfeet students mentor practicing teachers to provide a cultural background for teachers. Mentoring for math/science content in the other direction provides science/cultural balance in a meaningful way. The Principal Investigator for the project is Mr. Gerard Vandeberg. Cost sharing equals 37% of the NSF award.

This project will improve the quality of mathematics and science education on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation through a multi-faceted program: 1) A two day reservation- wide conference designed to bring together various community groups, along with state officials, university system personnel, and national leaders; 2) four intensive two-week summer workshops for local educators, students from BCC, and interested community members; 3) eight 1 to 2 day workshops during the regular academic year for local educators, students from BCC, and interested community members; 4) the piloting of a Mathematics and Science Associate Degree program involving 10 Blackfeet students. The reservation wide conference will include: education policy makers such as school board members and district administrators, Bureau of Indian Affairs and Indian Health Service officials, Tribal Elders, Montana State University personnel, and officials from the Office of Public Instruction; nationally known Indian educators and scientists; local teachers, parents and students. The focus will be the current state of math/science education on the Blackfeet Reservations. The summer workshops for 16 teachers and 10 students will study new methods for improving math/science education among American Indian students and adaptation of activities to the Blackfeet culture. The academic year workshops will acquaint 20 educators with nationally known math/science curriculum projects; their content and pedagogy. An unusual feature of the project is having Blackfeet students mentor practicing teachers to provide a cultural background for teachers. Mentoring for math/science content in the other direction provides science/cultural balance in a meaningful way. The Principal Investigator for the project is Mr. Gerard Vandeberg. Cost sharing equals 37% of the NSF award.