Native American History Month & Climate Science

Free Educational Research Activity from REAL Science Odyssey Earth & Environment Level 2

Famous Science Series: Winona LaDuke and Eriel Deranger

In celebration of Native American Heritage Month, we are excited to share a research activity from our upcoming course, REAL Science Odyssey: Earth & Environment 2. Earth & Environment 2 is a comprehensive course for middle school to early high school students. Unlike many science courses, Earth & Environment 2 is not a dry collection of facts and worksheets, but rather an in-depth course that engages young people’s minds at the same time they are actively participating in the learning of earth and environmental science.

In this Famous Science Series activity, students research the contributions of Winona LaDuke and Eriel Deranger, pioneers in climate change solutions and water conservation for Indigenous communities. As the organization Indigenous Climate Action states, they “believe that Indigenous Peoples’ rights and knowledge systems are critical to developing solutions to the climate crisis and achieving climate justice.” We hope this activity helps you as you explore and celebrate Native American heritage as well as ongoing resilience. DOWNLOAD THE ACTIVITY GUIDE HERE.

OTHER RESOURCES

• Consider “4 Reasons to Rethink Your November”, a thought provoking overview of actions to take during the month by First Nations Development Institute.
• Explore the land where you live and the people and Nations who may still call that land home. You can map your own town or city at Native.Land.ca.  We also offer our own free download of the chapter on Haudenosaunee Confederacy in our “Try Before You Buy” for History Quest: United States.
• 18 Teacher Resources on Native American History and Culture from history education and equity nonprofit, Facing History and Ourselves. Get media lists, podcasts, teacher guides, and helpful links for middle school and high school students. 
• Hear directly from youth. The national Boys & Girls Clubs of America has nearly 250 Clubs serving over 120,000 Native kids and teens annually, including the Boys & Girls Club of Yurok Tribe. Learn more about these kids and their work helping the Klamath River and then visit the main page for “8 Ways to Celebrate Native American Heritage Month.”
• Interested in Astronomy? Did you know NASA has its own “Native American Connections” website? Find out more about Native American members of the NASA community, “Lakota Parallels” offering information that directly relates NASA Sun-Earth concepts to traditional Lakota knowledge, and more science-culture connections.
• Get outside with the National Park Service! On their Native American Heritage site, you can access an educator’s portal with lesson plans, meet Native American staff, read about specific parks and the Indigenous perspective, and more!
• Like exploring in the kitchen? Check out the Alter-NATIVE Kitchen miniseries on PBS. While you’re there, check out Public Broadcasting Service’s full listing of documentaries and short videos. 
• Museum of the American Indian (Smithsonian): The Museum focuses on contemporary Native American achievements and it offers many online educational resources. Visit online exhibitions, register for online events, or watch recordings here.