Minnesota Indigenous Science

Science from Scientists offers hands-on lessons that connect Minnesota Indigenous cultural knowledge with modern science, supporting Minnesota State Standards focused on learning from Minnesota Tribal Nations and communities. Students explore how traditional wisdom and scientific inquiry work together to inspire innovation and environmental stewardship. These lessons align with Minnesota State Science Standards, emphasizing Indigenous knowledge and ways of thinking. 

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Minnesota Indigenous Science lesson options

Which is Best - Grade 2

(four-hour curriculum mini-unit)

This package includes three hours of teacher-led lessons – including a fully-stocked materials kit to engage students in hands-on science learning and an online teacher portal – plus a SciSci classroom visit (What's in the Basket, described below). In the teacher-led lessons, students identify and categorize materials according to their physical properties and apply their understanding to determine which materials are best suited for various applications. In the last lesson, students solve an engineering design challenge by testing different materials to decide which materials will solve the problem at hand and compare their ideas to the solutions found by Native American and other cultures.

This lesson meets the following general Minnesota Science Standard and associated second grade benchmark:
Standard: 4.2.2.
Students will be able to gather information about and communicate the methods that are used by various cultures, especially those of Minnesota American Indian Tribes and communities, to develop explanations of phenomena and design solutions to problems.
Benchmark: 2P.4.2.2.1.
Obtain information and communicate how Minnesota American Indian Tribes and communities and other cultures apply knowledge of the natural world in determining which materials have properties that are best suited for an intended purpose. (P: 8, CC: 2, CI: PS1)

What's in the Basket - Grade 2

(SciSci-led classroom visit only)

In this lesson, two SciSci educators visit your classroom. Students think like engineers and apply Native American traditional knowledge to design baskets that solve different problems such as gathering food, carrying water, or transporting tools. For each problem, students first determine what physical properties are important for the materials used to make a basket for the given purpose. Then, they test different materials to explore their properties – for example: strength, flexibility, durability, and water resistance. Lastly, students apply their discoveries to select the most appropriate basket material for each purpose.

This lesson supports the following general Minnesota Science Standard and associated second grade benchmark:
Standard: 4.2.2.
Students will be able to gather information about and communicate the methods that are used by various cultures, especially those of Minnesota American Indian Tribes and communities, to develop explanations of phenomena and design solutions to problems.
Benchmark: 2P.4.2.2.1.
Obtain information and communicate how Minnesota American Indian Tribes and communities and other cultures apply knowledge of the natural world in determining which materials have properties that are best suited for an intended purpose. (P: 8, CC: 2, CI: PS1)

Common Ground - Grade 4

(SciSci-led classroom visit only)

In this lesson, student groups are tasked with designing a new community park. After imagining their initial designs for the park, students consider core elements of Native American traditional ecological knowledge, such as sustainable natural resource management and the interconnectedness of humans and nature. Students then engage in station-based activities to explore the needs of different organisms that live in the park, investigate soil types, and learn about how building a new park can impact water and water quality. After completing all of the stations, students apply this holistic and integrated way of thinking to improve their park designs.

This lesson supports the following general Minnesota Science Standard and associated second grade benchmark:
Standard: 4.2.2.
Students will be able to gather information about and communicate the methods that are used by various cultures, especially those of Minnesota American Indian Tribes and communities, to develop explanations of phenomena and design solutions to problems.
Benchmark: 4E.4.2.2.1.
Obtain and combine multiple sources of information about ways individual communities, including Minnesota American Indian Tribes and communities and other cultures, use evidence and scientific principles to make decisions about the uses of Earth’s resources. (P: 8, CC: 4, CI: ESS3, ETS1)

This project was made possible in part by the people of Minnesota through a grant funded by an appropriation to the Minnesota Historical Society from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

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Indigenous Science lesson service area

SciSci provides Indigenous Science lessons in one region

Twin Cities area

Indigenous Science pricing

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