Seminar: Educating About and With Technology: Empowering Indigenous Students and Communities
Program: TLSI
Subject Area: Other
Grade Level: High school
Year of Publication: 2025
Abstract
The curriculum unit ” Modeling Our Heritage: 3D Printing with Purpose ” is designed for junior
high school students in the Talented and Gifted (TAG) program. This unit will be implemented
throughout the month of November 2025, aligning intentionally with Native American Heritage
Month to deepen students’ cultural exploration through meaningful, hands-on experiences.
This unit bridges modern technology and Indigenous identity by introducing students to the fundamentals of 3D design and printing. Through guided lessons and collaborative activities, students will explore how digital tools that can be used to preserve traditional knowledge, express cultural narratives, and solve real-world challenges within their own community. From identifying culturally significant objects to designing and printing their own 3D models, students will engage in a process that is both technical and personally meaningful. The unit not only emphasizes academic and creative growth but also affirms the importance of Apache heritage. Students will gain critical thinking and purposeful design skills, blending the past with the future to tell stories, solve problems, and reflect on what it means to be both Indigenous and innovative. Through research, discussion, prototyping, and presentation, learners will become active participants in shaping how technology can serve and inspire their community.