OH STEM! Co-Creating a One Health STEM Ecosystem for Rural and Indigenous Alaska Students.
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Project Description
OH STEM!: Narrative OH STEM! works with tribal partners to create educational opportunities centered in the unique culture and environment of Southeast Alaska for underrepresented rural and Indigneous students. We will bring courses, mentored research projects, and scientists to remote Alaska communities to meet students where they are, while supporting SE Alaska partners to grow their own capacity for STEM education. These culturally centered experiences in their hometowns will develop a foundation of student belonging and resilience as they continue on their science career paths.
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Abstract
OH STEM!: Abstract Rural and Indigenous Alaskans are under-represented in biomedical and STEM fields due to systemic bias, resource disparity, and geographic barriers. In addition, there are pressing local, regional and national needs for biomedical and STEM professionals with their lived experiences and perspectives. OH STEM! builds on lessons learned in RASOR (SEPA R25GM129838-01A1; Rural Alaska Students in One-health Research) to co-create, with tribal partners, an ecosystem of One Health learning and research opportunities that are culturally-centered and community-based. These efforts will create a sustainable network that encourages integration of personal, cultural, and science identities, and will result in a greater sense of belonging and persistence in biomedical and STEM careers. THE GOAL of OH STEM! is to increase representation of rural and Indigenous Alaskans in biomedical and STEM fields and is supported by our 3 specific aims: AIM 1) Culture – Implement culturally-centered One Health/STEM curricula to promote belonging and STEM advancement in Indigenous and rural students. AIM 2) Continuity – Establish a frictionless ecosystem of advancement pathways for Indigenous and rural student scientists. AIM 3) Sustainability – Create an integrated, mutually supportive, and sustainable One Health/STEM and Culture network including Tribal governments, cultural institutions, a Tribal research network and university partners supporting local school districts and teachers. OH STEM! will bring One Health experiences and experts to middle and high school students in remote communities to spark awareness and excitement around STEM education and career opportunities in SE Alaska. Two dual enrollment, variable credit courses: an Indigenized, place-based One Health Research course and a new Data and Quantitative Thinking course will give students the opportunity to earn their first college credits, get matched with a research mentor, investigate a One Health research question, and develop their critical thinking skills, all within their home community and cultural context. These experiences will prepare them and connect them to opportunities to present their research, attend a conference, take additional courses, intern, and work in One health research positions in their community. By emphasizing collaboration, OH STEM! will facilitate the participation of students in multiple opportunities and scaffold along a continuum from awareness and engagement to preparation, original contribution, and scientific self-efficacy. We will also support the development of Southeast Alaska regional capacity to inspire and train STEM professionals with strong science and cultural identities to meet the particular needs of their own communities. OH STEM! will holistically integrate Indigenous/local knowledge, Western Science, and cultural values producing researchers who can contribute unique and multiple perspectives to biomedical issues.
