Fragrant Bamboo: The Constructivist Inquiry-based Science Project Curriculum Implementing Place-based Education for Preschool Children in Taiwan Tayal Indigenous Tribe

Fragrant Bamboo: The Constructivist Inquiry-based Science Project Curriculum Implementing Place-based Education for Preschool Children in Taiwan Tayal Indigenous Tribe

The collaborative teaching research was conducted in northern Taiwan’s Tayal indigenous tribe to practice a constructivist inquiry-based science project curriculum implementing place-based education for kindergarten children. Research participants included 2 classroom teachers and 15 young children. Entering the natural tribal context, the researcher collected data through field observations, interviews, and other documentation. Qualitative method was adopted to analyze research data. A bamboo project was implemented relating to children’s life experiences. Research findings reveal: (1) teachers and children managed to co-construct a science project curriculum based on local resources and Tayal traditional knowledge (2) children developed basic scientific concepts and knowledge about natural plants through the inquiry-based project curriculum and (3) teachers regarded their roles as being colearners with children and realized the importance of children’s active involvement in the constructivist inquiry-based teaching. The result can help to improve science teaching/learning for indigenous children by utilizing environmental resources as well as traditional knowledge in future education.