Bridge design on the reservation: A study of curriculum implementation with American Indian youth

Abstract

To promote engineering 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 21st 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. © American Society for Engineering Education, 2009.