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In 2019, a group of eager tribal members approached the Waccamaw Siouan leaders, proposing the start of a STEM education initiative in the tribal community called .

The most recent initiative, which kicked off earlier this month, allowed these tribal leaders to connect the growing need for STEM education with its traditional tribal practices for students.

With jobs in STEM by 2029, the STEM Studio was designed with an intent to encourage interest in STEM among tribal youth.

The most recent initiative is the 鈥淏uild a Wigwam鈥� competition, supported by the . Wigwams are traditional dome-shaped homes made of natural materials. These were common, semi-permanent dwellings used by Indigenous peoples across the United States.

For this competition, students were instructed to create sustainable, durable wigwam replicas no larger than one foot in diameter. To test this, the wigwams were judged on a number of criteria, including hurricane and earthquake tests, whether it used 100% sustainable material, and whether the wigwam design was realistic.

Students used materials like grapevines, tree branches, and bark. Several wigwams were interactive, including one that replicates a “damper” on the top and a string that you pull down.

Ashley Lomboy, Director of the STEM Studio, says the response to the project was overwhelming. For Lomboy, the STEM Studio is about creating accessible STEM education opportunities for tribal youth, including those who don鈥檛 live in or near the tribal territory.

For this 鈥淏uild a Wigwam鈥� competition, remote students were encouraged to film themselves completing the tests. Because of this commitment to accessibility, tribal members from across the country submitted wigwam replicas to the competition, including a family from Virginia.

鈥淏ecause we had such great, great input from the community, I said, you know, we really should try to showcase and really celebrate the kids and what they accomplished,鈥� Lomboy said.

From there, she reached out to the to plan an exhibition for the wigwams. The STEM Studio was also able to secure a grant from the , a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

The projects were divided into three categories for judging: elementary, middle school, and high school. Winners received prizes ranging from gift cards and Discovery science kits to Apple iPads and scholarships, sponsored by the Waccamaw Siouan tribe.

The exhibit featured the display of the wigwams and music from a Kaya Littleturtle 鈥� a traditional singer and songwriter from Robeson County. For Lomboy, the event was about showcasing current and traditional aspects of Indigenous culture, so the STEM Studio also partnered with out of Wilmington, N.C. to provide samples of Yaupon tea.

The Yaupon holly shrub is native to the southeastern United States and was previously used by Indigenous peoples for ritual and medicinal purposes. Today, it is used for its natural caffeine and antioxidant properties.

Lomboy said this was an opportunity to allow tribal members to connect with a part of their history.

鈥淭hese wigwams were in the 1600s and 1700s and what we would have lived in,” Lomboy said. “I thought it would be really cool if we could get Yaupon tea served because it was a part of the green corn ceremony for this region.”

The Waccamaw Siouan STEM Studio has organized over 12 programs since its inception. From the start, the leaders intended to expose tribal members 鈥� no matter the age 鈥� to STEM education. Projects have included competitions, enrichment days, and more.

With 44 participants, this was the largest showing of participants since the program鈥檚 beginning in 2019.

The STEM Studio organizes events through its Facebook page to increase reach. Its next event is the Community Yacunne (fish) Camp in April where tribal members are encouraged to learn best fishing practices, including proper practices from pond to plate. This is followed by the Waccamaw Siouan STEM Studio MarineQuest Day with the in May.

This first appeared on and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

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