NEW MEXICO: EPSCoR and UNM collaborating on a $10M NSF Award to Advance Native American STEM Education
NSF has awarded researchers at the University of New Mexico, New Mexico NM EPSCoR, and partner institutions from five states in the western half of the US (Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming) $10 million to address the under-representation of American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) students in the STEM disciplines and workforce.
The Cultivating Indigenous Research Communities for Leadership in Education (CIRCLES) Alliance ultimately aims to inform educational institutions and the NSF in AI/AN cultural understanding and humility while shifting approaches towards AI/AN education.
The UNM portion of award will be used to support native communities and STEM professionals across New Mexico through a series of collaboratively organized community STEAM events, Indigenous STEM professionals webinars, and annual New Mexico partner meetings. On a larger scale, the CIRCLES Alliance ultimately aims to inform educational institutions and the NSF in AI/AN cultural understanding and humility while shifting approaches towards AI/AN education.
"This funding will give us the opportunity to collaborate with New Mexico’s Native communities to ensure that STEM learning is accessible and culturally responsive in all settings, including K-12 classrooms, informal learning spaces, and community-based programs" explains Dr. Selena Connealy, Associate Director of NM EPSCoR, who will serve as PI for the New Mexico portion of the CIRCLES Alliance, with Co-PI Dr. Lani Tsinnajinnie, Assistant Professor of Community and Regional Planning at the UNM School of Architecture, Water, and Natural Resources.