Informed by Chilisa’s (2020) definition of Indigenous Research Methodologies, this master’s thesis study invites students and community members to transform what science education can look like and empowers students to remember, reinvent or discover their reciprocal relationship with their island environment. Another goal of this study is to show that implementing a curriculum that is place, community, and project-based is feasible, engaging, and improves students’ school science experience. The outcomes of this study can be used by educators, administrators, and community groups in order to promote and advocate for place and project-based culturally responsive science education. In this session, you are invited to discuss how we can implement methodologies that empower research subjects.

STEMS² Pillars: Aʻo, Makawalu, Sense of Place, Advocacy