Curriculum development for stem integration: Bridge design on the white earth reservation

To promote STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education with American Indian students in grades 5-8, a civil engineering focused curriculum was designed through collaboration among educators, researchers, and engineers. The curriculum was created to introduce American Indian youth to career opportunities in civil engineering, various civil engineering concepts, and the role of civil engineers in the technology driven 21 st century. The emphasis of the curriculum is placed on structural engineering, which is a branch of civil engineering concerned with the design and structure of buildings, bridges, and roads. The curricular activities focused on one particular structure bridges. Through the activities the students engaged in engineering, as well as science, mathematics, and technology.

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