HAGÅTÑA (The Guam Daily Post) — A University of Oklahoma assistant professor with Guam roots has received a grant to develop a high school curriculum that’s culturally relevant to the Marianas.
Richard Velasco is an assistant professor of mathematics education in the Department of Instructional Leadership and Academic curriculum at the University of Oklahoma, but he got his start in education on Guam.
“I’m originally from Guam but moved to the United States eight years ago,” Velasco said in a University of Oklahoma press release. “I was a secondary mathematics teacher there for about nine years, and I’m still very connected to the Micronesian community.”
He is one of 10 recipients of a $100,000 Equity in Math Education Research Grant from the National Academy of Education.
“The grants fund pioneering projects designed to revolutionize equitable and ambitious mathematical learning experiences for K-12 students in traditionally underserved and historically marginalized communities,” the release said.
Velasco’s project, titled Amplifying Indigenous Micronesian Intelligence for Data Science with Culturally Relevant Data, will use data specific to the Marianas.
“The archipelago where Guam and Saipan are situated,” Velasco said in the release. “The goal of the … project is to not only get the Pacific Islander students exposed to data science but to use data that is culturally and politically relevant to them and to use data that is place-based.”
The project involves a collaboration “with CHamoru, Indigenous people of the Marianas, and non-CHamoru teachers and scholars from Guam and Saipan to create high school-level data science learning modules using culturally relevant data that integrates ethno-mathematics and local sociopolitical issues,” the release said.
“Growing up in Guam as a son of immigrant parents, my philosophy has always been about giving back to your community and never forgetting where you came from,” Velasco said. “This grant means so much to me because not only does it help me reconnect with my roots and maintain relationships with my home community, but also amplifies the brilliance that Indigenous Micronesians and other Indigenous Pacific Islanders can offer to the fields of data science and mathematics.”
The curriculum developed will be implemented in Guam and Saipan, but, Velasco believes, it could expand broadly.
“He also hopes to work with … teachers and schools throughout Oklahoma to develop data science curriculum and potentially collaborate with OU’s Native Nations Center to establish relations and develop a similar project with local tribal schools,” the release said.
Richard Velasco
