Cultivating Indigenous Research Communities for Leadership in Education and STEM (Circles) Alliance

Dr. Ben Sayler, from Black Hills State University, led South Dakota EPSCoR’s collaboration with Montana, Idaho, North Dakota, Wyoming, and New Mexico to secure a $739,619 National Science Foundation EPSCoR award, titled, Cultivating Indigenous Research Communities for Leadership in Education and STEM (CIRCLES) Alliance.

Through the CIRCLES Alliance, researchers at the University of Idaho, Central Wyoming College, the University of New Mexico, Black Hills State University, North Dakota State University and the University of Montana will build on strong, existing partnerships with tribal communities and colleges to study promising practices and areas of greatest need in STEM education for American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) students. The CIRCLES Alliance states are home to 19 tribal colleges/universities (TCUs) and span 49 tribes/nations.

The project seeks to develop AI/AN-based STEM education activities for K-12 and higher education students, as well as become a model for partnering with tribal communities to advance Indigenous-based STEM education. Ultimately, the project aims to support tribal communities in producing a STEM-ready workforce to meet their communities’ unique economic development needs.

The Cultivating Indigenous Research Communities for Leadership in Education and STEM (CIRCLES) Alliance is an NSF-funded initiative to develop Native-based STEM education activities for K-12 and higher education students. The six-state Alliance builds on partnerships with tribal colleges and communities in Montana, Idaho, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming and New Mexico.