The week before, Sealaska Heritage Institute announced the purchase of a house next the Walter Soboleff building.
The company said it intends to develop a multi-subject learning environment in its STEAM program that is designed to encourage Alaska Native youth to engage with math, science technology, art and engineering. They will also incorporate the traditional wisdom of their culture.
“We’re hopeful that the program can bridge some of the gaps that exist in areas which Indigenous science is left out of these areas, and create some excitement and avenues towards those of us who are Alaska Native youth,” said Becca Soza, SHI’s STEAM director.
Soza stated that this new structure will allow for the development of hands-on skills in one central area.
“It’s likely to become a truly creative space for people to meet and share knowledge,” she said.
The building’s plans include an audio recording studio that can be digitally recorded and a kitchen where students can get to know about traditional foods and nutrition, and possibly the use of virtual reality for exploring immersive learning experiences, as per Soza.
With all the new technology She said that students will be able to explore their own culture more deeply.
span style=”font-weight 400 ;”>”So the layout of the space as well as the programs we put in place within it will reflect our fundamental values, and also in it is the Indigenous ways of being,” she said.
Teachers from all over Southeast Alaska will be able to collaborate together with Indigenous instructors to develop lesson plans for the new facility. Soza stated that SHI is looking to become an area of regional collaboration to promote STEAM education for teachers of all kinds who teach Southeast Alaska Native students.
” style=”font-weight 400 ;”>”We’ve been engaged in helping teachers for a long time,” she said. “But we’ve always been at our desks and behind our laptops .”
The group said in a press release it’s building is home to Capitol Copy and some city offices, spans 14,000 square feet in size, and that it is planned to redesign its exterior to be in line with the SHI’s other campus buildings.
The construction won’t be happening anytime very soon, according to the announcement. SHI must raise funds first.
