ABSTRACT
Salmon Camp is a traveling science camp that was created by collaboration between the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) and the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES). In this long-running program, Native American students follow the route of migrating young salmon from Cascade Mountain spawning streams to the Pacific Ocean. During their journey, these middle-school age participants experience the varied freshwater environments through which salmon travel, participate in salmon ceremonies led by tribe elders and collect environmental data under the supervision of fish biologists, geologists, foresters, and range managers. The essay presents the history, design, and iterations of this improbable intersection of traditional indigenous knowledge and tradition, Western science, career exploration, place-based learning and outdoor adventure. The most important guideline, for science educators who want to develop similarly successful programs for underserved ethnic or cultural groups, is for those educators to first develop excellent relationships with that community, based on mutual respect and program co-ownership. Other guidelines include appreciating the diversity of beliefs that exist within each group, designing a flexible program, collaborating with partner organizations, and building a team of instructors who are perceptive of nature and have the ability to ask challenging and perceptive questions.
