Dissertation

Investigating Culturally-Contextualized Making with the Navajo Nation

Frank, Daniel Z

2018

Overview

Native Americans are one of the most severely underrepresented ethnic groups in the engineering field. To address their underrepresentation, this study looked to work with the Navajo Nation to design a makerspace for the community. A makerspace is a place where people can learn about engineering through making. This study was guided by two research questions: In what ways do the Navajo describe the experience of making? How can the Navajo experience of making be integrated to design a culturally-contextualized makerspace?To address these questions, data were collected in the form of semistructured interviews. The first research question was addressed by analyzing the data using phenomenography and Maslow’s hierarchy of needs framework. These data were also used in conjunction with the engineering design process to develop the design specifications required to address the second research question.The results from addressing the first research question are an awareness of the unique ways in which members of the Navajo Nation understand the experience of making. These results helped to inform three design concepts for a culturally-contextualized makerspace, concepts that integrate the unique ways the Navajo Nation understand the experience of making and are both responsive and respectful to the distinct needs and worldviews of their community. The engineering skills and attitudes developed in such makerspaces have the potential to both strengthen the engineering field and the Navajo Nation.

• Publisher: ProQuest Dissertations & Theses
• Subject: Community Colleges / Cultural anthropology / Data Analysis / Engineering Education / Experiential Learning / Grade 6 / Literature Reviews / Native American studies / Navajo (Nation) / Science Curriculum / Science education / Teaching Methods
• ISBN: 9798834036425