Native Universe: Inclusion of Indigenous Voice in Science Museums Summary Report of Research and Evaluation

This document represents the story of Native Universe: Indigenous Voice in Science Museums and how it has unfolded at the project level, the three case study museum sites, and through partnerships between tribal communities and the three science museums. Modeled on the project itself, our research and evaluation team brings together Indigenous and conventional, western evaluation and research practices, through a collaborative partnership between the Lifelong Learning Group, based at COSI’s Center for Research and Evaluation (Columbus, OH) and Native Pathways (Laguna, NM). The results of research and the results of evaluation would be separated in western social science practices, as they are asking different questions and serving different purposes. From a holistic indigenous perspective, however, these are part of the same process – one that is emergent, dynamic, and reflective. Our intention was to find balance between these approaches – not privileging one over the other, but honoring both. This document therefore reflects both the case study research and the summative evaluation. We ground both in story – describing the Native Universe pathway, the many journeys that have branched out from the project, and the outcomes and impacts that have occurred as a result, as well as the challenges and lessons learned. We then step back and interpret the data through the lenses of our research and evaluation questions. This way the story is kept whole and cohesive, while the analysis and interpretation of data stands on its own. This summary report pulls out the higher-level findings from the technical, synthesis report, which includes the findings with data.  

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