WORKSHOP FOR EMBEDDING INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIAN HISTORIES AND CULTURES IN SCIENCE CURRICULA

Abstract

BACKGROUND Aligned with these aims and with a grant from the Australian Council of Deans of Science (ACDS), our team of Indigenous and non-Indigenous educators is developing a framework for embedding Indigenous Australian histories and cultures in science curricula in higher education. The framework aims to support and inform university teaching staff and learning developers to create holistic science curricula, develop staff and student scientific literacy to create 21st-century scientists, develop cross-culturally capable staff and graduates, and work across diverse institutions.   WORKSHOP

This workshop aims to help educators work through the framework and the associated cultural intelligence exercise. By participating, you can put perspectives into practice, improving the teaching and learning of Indigenous Australian scientific knowledge at the tertiary educational level.

During the workshop, the Indigenous histories and cultures in science curriculum framework will be presented and explained to attendees. There will be discussion about the key points in the framework, such as the principles of framework, the educator journey, and how to embed Indigenous Australian science in the curricula. Participants will then be invited to consider their positionality before drafting curriculum using the framework.

Participants will be guided to increase their personal cultural intelligence work. Through use of the framework, educators will gain an appreciation of how to embed Indigenous Australian histories and cultures in science curricula appropriately based on their persona, considering what can be undertaken independently and the work that requires collaboration with Traditional Owners. This opportunity will guide educators’ step by step on how to showcase knowledges rather than inappropriately attempt to teach culture.

Following the workshop participants will be invited to participate in a focus group. The data collected will used as part of the ACDS Indigenous histories and cultures in science curricula framework research project.

This in-person workshop will be of 2 - 2.5 hours duration.

Acknowledge – project team: Ah Chee, J., Bennett, R., Cirkony, C., Coutts, K., Fairbrother, L., Gunning, T., Raven, T., Sambono, J., Singh, L-J., Unik, B. Ziebell, A.