Rooted in the Land- Ethnobotany in Alaska

This ethnobotany lesson bridges scientific learning with Alaska Native ways of knowing by exploring the traditional uses and cultural significance of local plant species. Students will apply their knowledge to create a video project showcasing various Alaskan plants, highlighting both their ecological roles and indigenous uses.

Classroom Guide

Essential Questions

  • How do Alaska Native peoples traditionally use and manage plant species, and how does this knowledge contribute to modern scientific understanding of ecosystems?
  • What are the ecological roles of native Alaskan plants, and how can understanding these roles inform sustainable environmental practices?
  • How does the relationship between humans and plants reflect broader principles of interdependence and sustainability in both traditional and scientific contexts?
  • What scientific methods can we use to study native plant species, and how do these methods align with or differ from Alaska Native observational practices and land stewardship?
  • How can we best use/leverage technology to document these connections and preserve both scientific information and Alaskan Native ways of knowing?

Standards

  • Standard: NGSS LS2.A - Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems
  • Standard: NGSS LS4.D - Biodiversity and Humans
  • Standard: NGSS ESS3.C - Human Impacts on Earth Systems