Expansion of Technology into the Hydrology Curriculum at Salish Kootenai College

Salish Kootenai College (SKC) demonstrates leadership in preparing Native American students for careers and graduate studies in natural resources through its proven track record of success in STEM program development and implementation. The College stands to further benefit from a broader range of STEM degree and course offerings. SKC recently received approval to offer an Associates and Bachelor of Science in Hydrology. This degree program addresses a growing need for Tribal Colleges and the nation to expand their Geosciences curriculum.
Currently our nation awards only 20-30 degrees/year in geosciences disciplines to Native Americans. Only a small fraction of these students are in the field of hydrology or water resources. This highlights the geosciences as one of the least-diverse STEM fields. Surprisingly, American Indian Tribes exert sovereignty over ~20% of our nation‟s fresh water resources. Through this proposal SKC will prepare Native American students to seek jobs in hydrological fields and assist Tribal, Federal and State governments in making sound management decisions using state-of-the-art technologies.
The goals of this proposal are to 1) provide faculty support to develop curriculum for the new hydrology degree program that will integrate current technologies and where appropriate, climatic and spatial data available through NASA portals and 2) provide faculty professional development through onsite training for current technological holdings.
The long term impact of a technology enhanced SKC hydrology curriculum will culminate in degree recipients who are able to provide the unique perspective of Native peoples on water resources while taking advantage of the most current technologies.

Contact Information

Mail:	Antony Berthelote
	Department of Natural Resources - Hydrology
	Salish Kootenai College
	Pablo, MT 59855