Ute Stem Project: A Study in the Integration of Western STEM and Native American Knowledge Bases

History Colorado (HC) conducted an NSF AISL Innovations in Development project known as Ute STEM. This project built on the long-standing collaborations between HC, the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and Ute Indian Tribe, Uintah &  Ouray Reservation (the three Ute Tribes), and the Dominguez Archaeological Research Group (DARG), with the addition of new partners. HC implemented and evaluated a regional informal learning collaboration focused on Ute traditional and contemporary STEM knowledge that ultimately served over 291,000 learners through tribal programs, local history museums and educational networks. This project advances the understanding of traditional Ute STEM knowledge and the role of Ute people as STEM learners and practitioners. Ute STEM increases lifelong STEM learning in rural communities and creates a replicable model for collaboration between tribes, history museums and scientists.