HR: 0800h
AN: ED21A-1231    [Abstracts]
TI: Ka Hana `Imi Na`auao: A Science Curriculum Project
AU: * Napeahi, K
EM: knapeahi@hotmail.com
AF: Center on Disability Studies, Univ. Hawai`i, Honolulu, HI 96822
AU: Roberts, K D
EM:
AF: Center on Disability Studies, Univ. Hawai`i, Honolulu, HI 96822
AU: Galloway, L M
EM:
AF: Center on Disability Studies, Univ. Hawai`i, Honolulu, HI 96822
AU: Stodden, R A
EM:
AF: Center on Disability Studies, Univ. Hawai`i, Honolulu, HI 96822
AU: Akuna, J
EM:
AF: Center on Disability Studies, Univ. Hawai`i, Honolulu, HI 96822
AU: Bruno, B
EM: barb@hawaii.edu
AF: Hawai`i Inst of Geophysics and Planetology, Univ. Hawai`i, Honolulu, HI 96822
AB: In antiquity, the first people to step foot on what are now known as the Hawaiian islands skillfully traversed the Pacific Ocean using celestial navigation and learned observations of scientific phenomena. Long before the Western world ventured beyond the horizon, Hawaiians had invented the chronometer, built aqueduct systems (awai) that continue to amaze modern engineers, and had preventive health systems as well as a comprehensive knowledge of medicinal plants (including antivirals) which only now are working their way through trials for use in modern pharmacopia. Yet, today, Native Hawaiians are severely underrepresented in science-related fields, reflecting (in part) a failure of the Western educational system to nurture the potential of these resourceful students, particularly the many "at-risk" students who are presently over-represented in special education. A curriculum which draws from and incorporates traditional Hawaiian values and knowledge is needed to reinforce links to the inquiry process which nurtured creative thinking during the renaissance of Polynesian history. The primary goal of the Ka Hana `Imi Na`auao Project (translation: `science` or `work in which you seek enlightenment, knowledge or wisdom`) is to increase the number of Native Hawaiian adults in science-related postsecondary education and employment fields. Working closely with Native Hawaiian cultural experts and our high school partners, we will develop and implement a culturally responsive 11th and 12th grade high school science curriculum, infused with math, literacy and technology readiness skills. Software and assistive technology will be used to adapt instruction to individual learners` reading levels, specific disabilities and learning styles. To ease the transition from secondary to post-secondary education, selected grade 12 students will participate in planned project activities that link high school experiences with college science-related programs of study. Ka Hana `Imi Na`auao is funded through a grant awarded to the University of Hawaii Center on Disability Studies (R.A. Stodden, PI) from the U.S. Department of Education, Native Hawaiian Education Act. Project information and curricula are available at http://www.scihi.hawaii.edu/.
DE: 0800 EDUCATION
DE: 0805 Elementary and secondary education
DE: 0820 Curriculum and laboratory design
DE: 0855 Diversity
SC: Education and Human Resources [ED]
MN: Fall Meeting 2005