Perspectives of northern researchers, residents and educators on science education and outreach in Yukon, Canada

International Polar Year 2007-2008 renewed interest in and funding for circumpolar research. One unique element of this International Polar Year was the focus on education and outreach initiatives. This study explores outreach stakeholders’ perspectives on conducting science outreach with northern C...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Ross, Frances K P
Language:English
Published: 2012
Subjects:
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/10222/14649
Description
Summary:International Polar Year 2007-2008 renewed interest in and funding for circumpolar research. One unique element of this International Polar Year was the focus on education and outreach initiatives. This study explores outreach stakeholders’ perspectives on conducting science outreach with northern Canadian schools. A total of sixty semi-structured interviews were conducted with northern researchers, residents and educators to determine culturally appropriate and pedagogically suitable methods for educational outreach initiatives in the Canadian north. I examined northern resident and educator experiences with integrating Indigenous and Western ways of knowing, identified factors supporting educational outreach initiatives, and provided recommendations on how to strengthen educational outreach partnerships. Results show that institutional barriers discourage researchers from participating in educational outreach. Northern residents and educators viewed integrative science as an effective method to engage students in Indigenous and Western science, and to encourage collaborative educational outreach partnerships amongst outreach stakeholders.