Two-way science should be part of the school curriculum: here’s why

If you type ‘what is science?’ into your Google search bar, you will be met with over ten billion results. Similarly when you search for a definition of two way science, although a newer concept, you may still find yourself feeling overwhelmed by the plethora of answers.

At Indigenous Mapping Workshop (IMW) Australia we define science as “the pursuit of knowledge through observation, experiment and analysis”. Science isn’t a field reserved for Western society. Australia’s Traditional Custodians cultural practices have been derived from millennia of trial, error, success and learning, a great deal of which is scientific in nature.

For example, the Gunditjmara people have practiced aquaculture science for over 6000 years. Cutting into bedrock, the Gunditjimara people manipulated water flows to divert eels into holding ponds they had created. This could not have been done without first studying eels in their natural environment and creating a hypothesis that; to more easily catch the fish, waterways could be diverted into man-made holding ponds.

Another example that highlights the result of scientific pursuits by Traditional Custodians is cultural burning. Where Western society has, until recently, had a reactive strategy to fire – seeking to extinguish it as quickly as possible once it begins, Australia’s First Nations people learned long ago how to proactively discourage fire from beginning through the method of cool burning. These practices are the result of observation and understanding of the land, climate and tools available. The effectiveness of this Indigenous science practice can be seen through the Northern Territory Savanna burning project which, in 2021 was reported to have contributed to a 10% reduction in national emissions. 

If you are an Indigenous organisation interested in participating in cultural burning, you can apply your expression of interest for Firestick Alliance’s Cultural Fire Credits initiative.

What is two way science?

Two way science also referred to as ‘two way learning’ or ‘both way science’ is a philosophy of teaching and learning that connects Western science with Indigenous science under the Australian school curriculum. Two way science is a means of combining two different worlds of thought into one, the benefits of which are manifold.

What are the benefits of two way science?

There are numerous reasons why two way learning should be adopted more widely in schools across Australia, here are some of them:

Two way science helps to strengthen the connection between local Aboriginal groups and schools

Australia has Traditional Custodians with ties to Country from as far north as Garramilla (Darwin) to as far south as Nipaluna (Hobart) and everywhere in between. In places like Leonora, Western Australia teachers at the district high school have successfully adopted two way learning by collaborating with local cultural organisations and Indigenous staff to bring tradition and cultural knowledge to the classroom.

While this relationship is certainly unique and may not be possible where you live and teach - now more than ever there are options available that your school can explore!

• Research cultural consultancies in your area and book a time to discuss. Speaking with a local Indigenous cultural consulting practice will ensure you and your faculty get relevant advice for the land you are on and advice that is respectful of the Traditional Owners of the area. A great place to begin your research is through Supply Nation, Australia’s leading database of verified Indigenous businesses.

• Find an organisation that offers education programs that have already developed links to the Australian curriculum. For example, Yirra Yaakin based in Boorloo (Perth) is an Aboriginal-led theatre company that offers performances and workshops for pre-primary through to Year 12 students as well as education kits that have been developed in consultation with Noongar Elders.

• There is an abundance of online resources by Traditional Owners that can be utilised in classes. National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) have a free education resource for teachers of early childhood through to year 10. It contains suggested readings, video clips and activities which can be used incorporated into classes at any time during the year. In geography, it would be possible to introduce the Indigenous icons that IMW Australia developed with Dennis Golding, a Freelance Designer with Google’s Creative team. 
  

Students see that Aboriginal knowledge is valued and are able to play a part in keeping it alive

While Western settlement has led to the catastrophic loss of more than half of all First Nations languages - 123 still exist. Incorporating local Traditional Custodians knowledge and language into classes is just one of the many ways to show that Aboriginal knowledge is valued and respected. Not sure where to start? Check out the 50 words project which has written and verbal examples of 50 words from 80 language groups across Australia.

Platforming Indigenous voices and paying for those voices to be uplifted at your school whether that is through a subscription to Koori Mail, National Indigenous Times or another Indigenous publication, purchasing books outlined in AIATSIS’s ‘education resources we recommend’ or through special guest presentations. All of these options can be meaningful ways to facilitate learning from Indigenous cultural knowledge and ideas.

Qualitative evidence shows an increase in engagement, cultural pride and language adoption from students that are taught in both way science

Six schools in remote Australia with support from Schools Plus Smart Giving Program, SciDev, Anangu community members, Educators and Rangers developed a curriculum which used a both way science approach. According to Schools Plus, all six schools reported “an increase in community engagement, and thanks to their increased voice and influence, the Anangu community say they feel more empowered. Students are showing a stronger sense of cultural pride and are expanding their home language vocabulary.”

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