Indigenous Innovators Art & STEM Project Pack
Indigenous Innovators Art & STEM Project Pack
Introduce kids to Indigenous artists, scientists, engineers, doctors, and innovators through hands-on art and STEM projects designed for elementary learners.
This printable project pack pairs short biographies with creative activities kids can make, build, test, design, and explore. Students can learn about accomplishments in art, medicine, aerospace, engineering, design, and exploration while putting ideas into action with approachable classroom projects.
Use individual activities throughout the year, create a short biography study, or choose several projects for Indigenous Peoples’ Day in October or Native American Heritage Month in November.
Suggested Grades: 2–6
Subjects: Art, Science, STEM, Engineering, Biography
Format: 38-page printable PDF
Featured Indigenous Artists & Innovators
Students will explore the lives and work of:
- Bronwyn Bancroft — Bundjalung artist and designer
- Kenojuak Ashevak — Inuit artist
- Susan La Flesche Picotte — Omaha physician
- John Herrington — Chickasaw astronaut
- Lori Arviso Alvord — Navajo surgeon
- Jeffrey Gibson — Choctaw and Cherokee artist
- Mary Golda Ross — Cherokee aerospace engineer
- Jaune Quick-to-See Smith — Salish and Kootenai artist
- Lloyd Kiva New — artist and designer
The pack intentionally introduces students to individuals with different backgrounds and accomplishments rather than presenting Indigenous cultures as one single group. For example, students can build and test paper rockets while investigating how fins affect flight in the Mary Golda Ross section, or create bold power word art inspired by Jeffrey Gibson’s use of color, pattern, shape, and text.
Hands-On Projects Include
Kids won't just read about each person—they'll connect their learning with a related activity.
Projects include:
- Colorful landscape art
- Indigenous-inspired art investigations
- Owl collage and art activities
- Shadow puppets
- DIY working stethoscope
- Aquarius underwater research lab STEM build
- Surgery-themed hands-on investigation
- Power word mixed-media art
- Paper rocket engineering and fin testing
- Map and mixed-media collage art
- Printable art templates
- Biography and extension activities
For example, students can build and test paper rockets while investigating how fins affect flight with Mary Golda Ross. Or kids can create bold power word art inspired by Jeffrey Gibson.
Easy Ways to Use This Pack
This collection works well for:
- Indigenous Peoples’ Day
- Native American Heritage Month
- Elementary STEM lessons
- Art lessons
- Famous people and biography studies
- Science and engineering units
- Independent work
- Classroom centers
- Homeschool learning
You don't need to complete the entire pack. Choose the people and projects that work best with your students, available supplies, and current lesson plans.
What You'll Receive
1 digital PDF download — 38 pages
Includes:
- Short student-friendly biographies
- Art activities
- STEM and engineering projects
- Science investigations
- Printable templates
- Project instructions
- Supply lists
- Extension activity ideas
Please Note: This is a digital product. No physical materials will be shipped.
Great for Grades 2–6
Activities can be used with a range of elementary ages. Younger students may benefit from teacher or parent support. Older students can use the biographies and projects more independently.