The  Indigenizing Approaches for Teaching Chemistry (IATC)

The  Indigenizing Approaches for Teaching Chemistry (IATC) is accepting applications from full-time, certified, K-12 classroom science/chemistry teachers in middle and high school settings.  The IATC is a professional development program focused on growing teachers’ content knowledge, ability to write culturally sustaining/responsive curriculum, and leadership skills. Modeled after other Institute for Native-serving Educators (INE) seminars, the INE has partnered with the Cultural and Academic Research Experience (CARE)to sponsor the IATC for teachers.   

 

The CARE program aims to increase the number of Native American and underrepresented students (low income, disabled, etc…) in science, technology, engineering, math, and medical (STEMM) fields by engaging high school students at an earlier age (15+ years) through culturally relevant training in chemistry, biology, and healthcare fields. 

Teachers accepted will participate in an 7-month Fellowship that will increase their: 

  • Content knowledge 
  • Curriculum-development skills 
  • Capacity to deliver culturally responsive lessons 
  • Leadership ability 
  • Writing capacity 

Teachers accepted will receive a certificate of completion indicating up to 65 hours of professional development, will complete a culturally sustaining and responsive curriculum unit to implement in their classrooms, will receive a licensed workbook that integrates chemistry with cultural elements, and will receive a stipend to supplement costs not covered by the INE (i.e. travel/lodging/ meals).  

2025 CARE & INE Seminar Accordion Closed
Indigenizing Approaches for Teaching Chemistry (Naomi Lee Associate Professor, Director of the Cultural and Academic Research Experience (CARE), Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry)

This seminar will explore methods for teaching chemistry to middle and high school students, focusing on incorporating culturally sustaining and relevant practices to meet the needs of Indigenous students. Participants will receive a licensed workbook that integrates chemistry with cultural elements, designed to engage students from diverse backgrounds and foster a sense of belonging in STEM and health science fields. Middle and high school chemistry/science teachers will participate in discussions, readings, and activities, identify key teaching topics, and develop a curriculum unit to implement in their classrooms.

CARE & INE Seminar schedule 2025*

Downloadable PDF above *please share with your administrator

Benefits of program participation  
  • Increased knowledge of best practices in culturally sustaining/responsive curriculum development 
  • Completion of a published, self-authored curriculum unit for use in your classroom 
  • Recognition by the school/district of their accomplishments 
  • NAU affiliate status at Northern Arizona University during the program dates, which gives full access to Cline Library resources 
  • A certificate indicating their completion up to 65 hours of professional development 
  • Access to colleague’s self-authored curriculum units for use in your classroom 
  • Networking and learning from other educators in Native-serving schools 
  • A stipend provided upon program completion 

Apply Here for ITAC 2025! Accordion Closed

Application due: Friday, February 14, 2025

Application Process

Step 1: Get your principal’s support.

You will need to confirm that your principal supports your application. Please discuss this with your principal before you apply.

Step 2: Confirm your eligibility

Please carefully read the “Eligibility criteria” and “Time Commitment” sections to confirm your eligibility. This includes ensuring that you can attend ALL in-person and virtual meetings.

Eligibility criteria 
  • Employed as a Middle/High School Teacher in a school serving Indigenous students 
  • Employed in a publicly-funded, tribally-funded or Bureau of Indian Education funded school 
  • Teach Science/Chemistry  
  • Garner support from your school principal to participate in the program by providing them with a copy of the seminar description and schedule to ensure they understand the level of commitment asked of you to participate. Please have this conversation prior to applying to IATC
  • Ability to attend ALL meetings in-person and online meetings (2025 IATC Program Schedule)
Time Commitment 

Through successful completion of IATC, you will earn up to 65 Seat Hours for Professional Development which entails:

  • (6) 1.5-hour online seminar meetings
  • (3) 1-day Saturday sessions online seminar meetings (1 at NAU’s Flagstaff campus, 2 on Tribal Homelands)
  • (1) 4-day in-person summer residency at NAU’s Flagstaff campus
  • Attend the American Indian/Indigenous Teacher Education Conference
  • Attend 1-day in-person Showcase in November at NAU’s Flagstaff campus
  • Scheduled time for reading/writing each week
Step 3: Submit your application

The application is completed via Google forms, which requires you to complete and submit the entire application at one time. Please be sure you allow sufficient time to do this; we recommend approximately one hour.

The application includes two questions that should be answered in 300-600 words. The questions are:

“Part of the IATC’s mission is to work with teachers who are leaders in their schools or communities. How do you demonstrate leadership in your role as a teacher?”

&

“Please explain why you are interested in participating in IATC, and describe a specific way you could integrate this seminar topic into your teaching.”

Step 4: Notification of acceptance

The Institute for Native-serving Educators will inform you of your application status by March 3, 2025.  If you are selected to be a fellow of IATC in 2025, you will receive information about this year’s seminar topic.

Ready to get started?

Apply to IATC

Click the link above to be taken to the application page.

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