Exploring strengths-based approaches to teaching First Nations and Western sciences

Connie Cirkony; Mijung Kim; Brian Tweed; Jared Carpendale; Christine Preston

doi:10.1007/978-981-95-0561-6_13

Exploring strengths-based approaches to teaching First Nations and Western sciences

Connie Cirkony
, Mijung Kim
, Brian Tweed
, Jared Carpendale
, Christine Preston

School of Learning and Teaching

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter (Book) › Research › peer-review

Abstract

Worldwide, there are increasing calls to incorporate First Nations perspectives in K-12 science education. Those involved in Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programs in universities have an important role in developing the knowledge, confidence, and capability of current and future teachers to implement culturally responsive approaches in school settings. To support this learning journey, an international group of non-First Nations university science educators from Australia, Canada, and New Zealand formed a community of practice. Together, we share how we are coming to understand First Nations ways of knowing the natural world and explore strength-based approaches in our respective ITE science education programs. In this chapter, we relate stories of our practices through the narrative inquiry method, sharing our experiences and learnings in diverse contexts. Our narratives showcase examples of how we are navigating various policy directives as well as our strategies for implementing curricula, assessment, and pedagogies. Reflecting on our practices, we highlight three key learnings that are relevant for all science educators.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Primary Science Learning for Children, Teachers, and Communities
Subtitle of host publication	Stories of Practice and Possibility for Science Educators
Editors	Sarah Earle, Christine Preston, Helen Georgiou, Ange Fitzgerald
Place of Publication	Singapore Singapore
Publisher	Springer
Chapter	13
Pages	227-245
Number of pages	19
Edition	1st
ISBN (Electronic)	9789819505616
ISBN (Print)	9789819505609
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-95-0561-6_13
Publication status	Published - 2025

Keywords

Both-ways
Culturally responsive science education
First Nations sciences
Indigenous sciences
Two-Eyed Seeing
Two-ways

Access to Document

10.1007/978-981-95-0561-6_13

Cite this

Cirkony, C., Kim, M., Tweed, B., Carpendale, J., & Preston, C. (2025). Exploring strengths-based approaches to teaching First Nations and Western sciences. In S. Earle, C. Preston, H. Georgiou, & A. Fitzgerald (Eds.), Primary Science Learning for Children, Teachers, and Communities: Stories of Practice and Possibility for Science Educators (1st ed., pp. 227-245). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-95-0561-6_13

Cirkony, Connie ; Kim, Mijung ; Tweed, Brian et al. / Exploring strengths-based approaches to teaching First Nations and Western sciences. Primary Science Learning for Children, Teachers, and Communities: Stories of Practice and Possibility for Science Educators. editor / Sarah Earle ; Christine Preston ; Helen Georgiou ; Ange Fitzgerald. 1st. ed. Singapore Singapore : Springer, 2025. pp. 227-245

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Cirkony, C, Kim, M, Tweed, B, Carpendale, J & Preston, C 2025, Exploring strengths-based approaches to teaching First Nations and Western sciences. in S Earle, C Preston, H Georgiou & A Fitzgerald (eds), Primary Science Learning for Children, Teachers, and Communities: Stories of Practice and Possibility for Science Educators. 1st edn, Springer, Singapore Singapore, pp. 227-245. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-95-0561-6_13

Exploring strengths-based approaches to teaching First Nations and Western sciences. / Cirkony, Connie; Kim, Mijung; Tweed, Brian et al.
Primary Science Learning for Children, Teachers, and Communities: Stories of Practice and Possibility for Science Educators. ed. / Sarah Earle; Christine Preston; Helen Georgiou; Ange Fitzgerald. 1st. ed. Singapore Singapore: Springer, 2025. p. 227-245.

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter (Book) › Research › peer-review

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Cirkony C, Kim M, Tweed B, Carpendale J, Preston C. Exploring strengths-based approaches to teaching First Nations and Western sciences. In Earle S, Preston C, Georgiou H, Fitzgerald A, editors, Primary Science Learning for Children, Teachers, and Communities: Stories of Practice and Possibility for Science Educators. 1st ed. Singapore Singapore: Springer. 2025. p. 227-245 doi: 10.1007/978-981-95-0561-6_13

Exploring strengths-based approaches to teaching First Nations and Western sciences

Abstract

Keywords

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