MARIIANNE MAYS WIEBE, UM Today
Rod Lastra says that developing a dialogue about science and math curricula for Indigenous students is crucial. The instructor in the access and Aboriginal focus programs has initiated the first-ever University of Manitoba workshop for instructors to further that dialogue. The free two-day Indigenous Math and Science Symposium is hosted by access and Aboriginal support programs and takes place at the university on Monday, Aug. 25 and Tuesday, Aug. 26.
Many students coming in from Northern communities don’t have the basics and foundations of math and science, says Lastra. “Some have never set foot in a lab. They don’t have the required skills to complete and be successful at a first year mathematics or science course such as calculus, chemistry or biology.”
There are also mature students coming into the educational stream after five, 10, or more years, he adds.
“All of those factors can be overwhelming for students coming into a post-secondary institution. They’re expected to do well, to succeed and move forward but these are barriers they face.”
Part of the challenge, then, is to be proactive about meeting those needs. “There definitely is a gap that we have to be mindful of,” he says. “Those issues have been known for quite some time, and it’s our aim to be able to face those issues head on in a progressive manner.”
Lastra: “There definitely is a gap that we have to be mindful of … and it’s our aim to be able to face those issues head on in a progressive manner.”
As the U of M recruits more students from Northern areas of the province in keeping with our strategic pillar of Indigenous achievement, Lastra explains, “the idea is that we have to be able to have the capacity within our unit of the ever-growing need of what the students require.”
Rather than send students away to improve their qualification for university programs, the university is finding ways of addressing them, he says.
The workshop will look at approaches taken by others in order to develop a pedagogical model and best practices.
“Which is why we’ve invited others who have developed courses and programs (for Indigenous students),” says Lastra. “The (U of M) has expertise in this area as well, but it’s really nice to be able to put that into perspective.”
The workshop is open to all instructors, students and others interested in furthering the educational stream for Indigenous students by developing culturally relevant curricular that also integrates Indigenous knowledge where possible, he adds.
“There is no doubt that there are issues we can deal with, but when it comes to under representation, the maths and sciences are an area of concern. Our students, given the right resources, do excel, but we know that there are some serious barriers to be overcome.”
Indigenous Math and Science Symposium
This is a free event. Coffee and tea will be provided. Pre-registration or RSVP is not required.
Monday Aug. 25, 2014, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Robert Schultz Lecture Theatre
Tuesday Aug. 26, 2014, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., 118 St. John’s
Randy Herrmann, Engineering access program (ENGAP), University of Manitoba
Diana Klassen Laurie, ENGAP, University of Manitoba
Lyle Mueller, University of British Columbia
Dr. Javad Tavakoli, mathematics, University of British Columbia, Okanagan
Dr. Ed Doolittle, mathematics, First Nations University of Canada
Dr. Cynthia Annett, ecology, University of Kansas and advisor for the Native American Science Curriculum project, funded by the National Science Foundation
Dr. Dawn Sutherland, University of Winnipeg, Canadian Research Chair in Indigenous Science Education
For more information, contact Rod Lastra, Access and Aboriginal Focus Programs at 204 272-1581.
Hosted by Access and Aboriginal Support Programs