How can Indigenous science and western science help us have more sustainable relations with Mother Earth?
How can technology and computer science help Indigenous people maintain sovereignty?
How can we use the knowledge of our ancestors to build more sustainable structures?
Questions like these drive our STEM learning and outreach.
STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics and STEAM incorporates the arts. Both represent an interdisciplinary approach to problem-based learning. STEM focuses specifically on Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics concepts, degrees, or careers. UTTC offers various two- and four-year STEM degrees leading to diverse career paths. We believe art is essential in learning and expressing STEM concepts, so we often use the term STEAM in our program design and descriptions.
Our outreach connects UTTC scientists, engineers, and STEM students with community members on campus, in Bismarck-Mandan, and in tribal communities throughout North Dakota and the Northern Plains to collaboratively build capacity in enhancing food, energy, and water sustainability.
Participants engage in making sense of phenomena via hands on STEM activities to support in school science learning of content knowledge and characteristics of science.
United Tribes Technical College students share their knowledge and experience to inform community members and inspire the next generation of Native scientists and engineers.
Our learning environments encourage collaboration to inspire, engage, and inform community members about the research and programs at United Tribes Technical College.
In 2024, the IRRC partnered with the Sacred Pipe Resource Center to host several storytelling sessions with elders, aiming to learn more traditional STEM knowledge form the knowledge keepers of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. Discussions focused on winter survival, animal stories, and recollections from the past shared with the community.
We are grateful and honored to be advised by inspiring and encouraging community leaders.
Kimberlee Blevins, Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara, UTTC ESR Alumni, Sitting Bull Graduate Student
Jeremy McLeod, Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, UTTC Engineering Alumni, FAA Engineer
Chadwick Kramer, Standing Rock, Bismarck Public Schools Indigenous Education Coordinator
Lorraine Davis, Sisseton Oyate, Native American Development Center Executive Director
K'lona Lofton, Cheyenne River Sioux, UTTC ESR Student Representative
Kathy Froelich, Sahnish, TSIP External Evaluator, Central Regional Education Association Cultural Coordinator
Find some activities they have developed on our STEM at Home Tab
Cheyenne River Sioux
Environmental Science and Research Alumni pursuing Bachelors Degree
Black Gold, Writing our Stories Youth Program, Nature Trail Development-Milkweed Sign
Cheyenne River Sioux
Environmental Science Student
Nature Trail Development-Cottonwood Sign
Oglala Sioux Tribe
Elementary Education Student
Indigenous Boats, Sphero Painting, Maker Space
Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara
Pre-Engineering Alumni
3..2..1..Takeoff
Straw Architecture
Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara
Pre-Engineering Alumni
Innovative Structures
Straw Architecture
Cheyenne River Sioux
Elementary Education Alumni
Penology Friday
Batwomen and the Dark Night
Former Sustainable Agriculture Student
Seasonal Plant Walk
Standing Rock Sioux
Environmental Science and Research Student
Interpretive Trail Development-Events and Rabbit Sign
Jayce Archambault, Standing Rock Sioux, Pre-Engineering
Berlin West, Environmental Science and Research
Brett Alberts, Environmental Science and Research
Ayanna Maynard, Cheyenne River Sioux, Sustainable Agriculture
Shotay Waters, Oglala Sioux Tribe, Elementary Education
Indika Dreamer, Oglala Sioux Tribe, Elementary Education
Baileigh Bradey, Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara, Elementary Education
Daniela Aki, AISES Member, Business Administration