Tag: Native American

A Lakota Perspective on STEM: Caitlin Bordeaux’s Journey to NASA and Beyond

Caitlin Bordeaux’s journey in education began with a strong commitment to both her heritage and her students. Bordeaux is a Sicangu Lakota educator from the Rosebud reservation, now living on Oglala lands in Thunder Valley, South Dakota. She’s been teaching high school science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), and computer science for eight years, creating culturally relevant curricula that honor  Indigenous perspectives.

Alt Text: Caitlin Bordeaux and her team sit together at a large table admiring the comic book pages they collaborated on.
Alt Text: Caitlin Bordeaux and her team sit together at a large table admiring the comic book pages they collaborated on. Caitlin wears business casual attire and smiles at the camera.

“My work blends education, culture, and STEM, aiming to elevate Indigenous voices and knowledge systems in classrooms and beyond,” said Bordeaux.

With degrees from Black Hills State University and the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Bordeaux is now pursuing a Ph.D. in STEM education, furthering her mission to make STEM more inclusive and accessible to underrepresented communities.

Bordeaux’s internship with NASA was a pivotal experience in her career that deepened her dedication to integrating Indigenous perspectives into STEM. Working virtually alongside her mentor, she focused on building partnerships between NASA, local Indigenous organizations, and the Rosebud Sioux Tribe’s education department.

Her role at NASA also reinforced her belief in a holistic approach to STEM. “Being Indigenous has shaped my approach to STEM work, grounded in respect for Unci Maka (Mother Earth). My perspective is focused on cultural connections and holistic learning,” Bordeaux explained. This outlook encourages the integration of Indigenous values into STEM spaces, making them more inclusive and reflective of diverse knowledge systems. By connecting science with culture, Bordeaux believes we can create more accessible and equitable STEM education environments for all students.

Alt Text: A page of a comic book featuring multiple Indigenous women who work at NASA, including Caitlin Bordeaux. The comic page highlighting the different ways in which NASA collaborates with Indigenous communities to blend their knowledge with western sciences.
Alt Text: A page of a comic book featuring multiple Indigenous women who work at NASA, including Caitlin Bordeaux. The comic page highlights the different ways in which NASA collaborates with Indigenous communities to blend their knowledge with Western sciences.

One such effort of Bordeaux’s is her dedication to developing cross-curricular lessons that integrate Indigenous star knowledge with STEM concepts, with a strong commitment to supporting the Rosebud Sioux Tribe and NASA’s Star Knowledge Partnership Program allowing her students to connect with science from their own perspectives.

Bordeaux’s experience also serves as a message to other aspiring Indigenous students: there are opportunities to grow, contribute, and make a lasting impact. “Apply! NASA offers various internships, including virtual ones like I did, which are flexible and accessible,” said Bordeaux. Her experience has influenced her academic pursuits, helping to push her to gain her Ph.D., while also providing her the opportunity to connect with others, including her mentor, who have the same goal for the future of education and STEM.

In her own words, the work is just beginning: “Philamayaye! (Thank you!),” she says, reflecting on the support and opportunities that have shaped her path. Her internship has been a catalyst for her continued work in education and research, to create a more inclusive and culturally relevant STEM education landscape.

Tara Roanhorse/NASA Headquarters

 

Navajo Intern Engineer Hopes to Inspire Native American STEM Students

As an American Indian College Fund ambassador and a Navajo engineer, Nylana Murphy aims to demonstrate to native students that the ‘world is for [them].’ 

Murphy first gained interest in NASA while learning about internships during the American Indian Science Engineering Society (AISES) National Conference: ‘a three-day event focused on educational, professional, and workforce development for Indigenous peoples of North America and the Pacific Islands.’ 

Following the AISES conference, MAIANSE, which seeks to increase American Indian and Alaska Native engagement in STEM through authentic NASA experiences, helped Murphy with a summer internship offer. 

Murphy used her networking skills to secure two additional NASA internships in the additive manufacturing research lab at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center.  

‘An internship isn’t just a job — it’s a foundation. A foundation built for one’s success. My internships have helped me get to where I am. Without the great opportunity of hands-on communication, I wouldn’t be in the direction of aerospace,’ Murphy said. 

While working on the additive manufacturing project, Murphy gained hands-on technical experience within a team at the agency. During her internship, she also used three-dimensional printing for Inconel 625 powder, which plays a significant role in aerospace utility tasks.  

Along with her part-time internship, Murphy juggled life as a full-time student at Navajo Technical University, pursuing her degree in mechanical engineering with a concentration in additive manufacturing. 

Murphy hopes to use her degree and skill set to continue exploration and to inspire more Native American students in the world of STEM and NASA. 

‘There is a career for everyone, where their dreams can become reality. With a focus on education and the help of other technologically inquisitive Native students, those dreams WILL become a reality,’ Murphy said. 

Do YOU want to be on the NASA team? Check out our website to find information on eligibility and application steps. Or, for more inspirational stories about our interns, such as Mallory Carbon, check out some of our other intern features on our blog.

Carolina Rodriguez, STEM Engagement Communications Intern 
Claire O’Shea, STEM Engagement Communications Intern, Editor 
NASA Johnson Space Center