Nme (Lake Sturgeon) in the Classroom: Adapting Fisheries Management Educational Outreach to the High School Level in the Context of Standards-Based Learning Goals

Integrating educational outreach programs into the classroom is often influenced by Federal, State, and District education standards. While the goal of most programs is to present clear, concise information in the context of objective-based learning, this project emphasized experiential -based learning through an Indigenous, Land-Based Pedagogy. During the 2014-2015 school year, we developed and implemented Nme (Lake Sturgeon) in the Classroom, a unit of study created for a high school classroom. As part of this program, students were presented with the curriculum we developed and a fall-fingerling lake sturgeon to raise in their classroom.  All lessons within this curriculum were aligned with Common Core and Next-generation Science Standards. Emphasis was placed on critical thinking activities, field methodology and native species management, all through an Indigenous perspective. At the end of the program, the students and faculty were asked to evaluate how the Sturgeon in the Classroom program compared to previous learning experiences. Additionally, students were asked if this program altered their understanding of native fisheries management; if they were more likely to seek a post-secondary fisheries management degree program; and if the program altered their understanding of the local Tribal Community and their reciprocal relationship with Nme (lake sturgeon).