Ka Hana 'Imi Na'auao

Ka Hana Imi Na'auao: A Science Careers Curriculum - Nuturing Hawaiian Scientists for Hawaii's Future; Illustration of a braided rope.

Project Dates: 2005 – 2009

Funded by: CFDA; Native Hawaiian Education Program

About

Ka Hana ‘Imi Na’auao (the seeking of scientific knowledge) will serve up to 400 Native Hawaiian (NH) students in grades 10-12 by developing a science curriculum that prepares them for science-related college programs. Project researchers, and cultural and academic experts will work closely with teachers and students in eight or more schools: where the NH population is high; where more NH students are at-risk and/or have special needs; and that are in rural areas. All learning will be grounded in NH values and teaching styles. This will occur through various means, including inviting as many NH kupuna (elders), role models, employers, and ohana (extended family) as possible to participate.

Specifically, this proposal addresses: Competitive Preference Priority (c) The needs in fields or disciplines in which Native Hawaiians are underemployed; Invitational Priority (3) Activities to enable Native Hawaiians to enter and complete programs of postsecondary education; and (3) Authorized Activity (F) the development of academic curricula to address the needs of Native Hawaiian children including curriculum materials in science that incorporate Native Hawaiian tradition and culture.

Project goals and their anticipated outcomes are:

  1. Strategize a Plan: assess and survey students, developing a plan tailored to their needs; 
  2. Develop a Science Curriculum: evaluate and integrate culturally responsive NH curriculum, developing and piloting numerous meaningful and locally relevant learning experiences that link state content standards (including math and technology readiness, literacy and NH language, culture and traditions) to college/career prerequisites and opportunities; 
  3. Assess the Curriculum: use and develop valid qualitative and quantitative measures to assess success of the project for NH students;
  4. Field Test the Curriculum: adapt and revise materials and make them web accessible; and 
  5. Disseminate and Sustain the Curriculum: support use of the final products across the state and sustain indefinitely through website interactions and direct teacher support.

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