National Native American Heritage month is celebrated in the United States annually in November. This month is a time to celebrate the cultures and resilience of Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and affiliated Island communities.
Check out the following resources for incorporating Native American heritage into your science classroom this month and year-round.
Learning in Places
Learning in Places is a project that provides resources to educators, families, and community members to create educational environments that include field-based science education. They aim to share curricula that grow cultural knowledge through engagement in the natural world. Learning in Places materials are free to use.
iNative Shorts for Kids
Vision Maker Media's iNative Shorts for Kids YouTube channel introduces children ages 6-12 to Native issues and histories through engaging, educational content—with animated assistance from Frankie the Hawk. The videos are organized by themes, such as Identity Matters, Leaders of Tomorrow, and Living Legacies. Each theme includes shorts on a variety of interdisciplinary topics—from the Apache 8 all-women wildland firefighter crew to Native food sovereignty to Dr. Susan La Flesche Picotte's legacy of providing healthcare for others. The videos are available to watch anytime for free. Each short includes an accompanying iNative Activity Sheet, which you can request access to by clicking the link in the video's description.
NK360° STEM Educational Resources
The Native Knowledge 360° (NK360°) Education Initiative is a program of the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian that provides educators and students with new perspectives on Native American history and cultures. The initiative aims to broaden exposure to Native American history beyond the typical one-sided perspective offered by popular media and textbooks. NK360° offers educational materials, virtual student programs, and teacher training. Check out their free STEM educational resources.
Native Knowedge 360° Teach-In: March 14, 2026
The NK360° teach-in, to be held from 12-3 p.m. Eastern on March 14, 2026, will include engaging online workshops exploring Native-focused classroom resources and lessons. The fee to attend is $15. Register.
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