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Reclaiming Cultural Traditions Through Making: Creating Ofrendas to Explore Día de Los Muertos.

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Reclaiming Cultural Traditions Through Making: Creating Ofrendas to Explore Día de Los Muertos.
Authors: Rouse, Rob1 r.rouse@uq.edu.au, Torralba, Juan, Olvera, Anthony, Garcia, Kimberly, Garcia, Maurilio
Source: Science Scope. Sep/Oct2025, Vol. 48 Issue 5, p17-25. 9p.
Subject Terms: *STEM education, *Middle schools, *Contextual learning, Makerspaces, Cultural property, Memorials, Engineering design
Abstract: In this article we describe a culturally relevant activity in which middle schoolers blended learning about Día de los Muertos with using the tools and technologies in a school makerspace to complete an integrated STEM project. Our motivation was to explicitly emphasize the traditions and cultural significance of Día de los Muertos, a holiday which is often confused with Halloween. At the same time, we sought to provide students with opportunities to engage with science and engineering content and practices throughout the project. Specifically, students designed and built ofrendas (i.e., altars) in honor of loved ones who had passed away. To do this, they engaged in a design cycle in which they defined the challenge, brainstormed solutions, sketched ideas, prototyped solutions, constructed models based on prototype feedback, and showcased their final models. During each stage, students reflected on the process. Three students who participated in the project also contributed to authoring the article. Next steps for continuing to incorporate culturally relevant projects into middle school makerspaces are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database: Education Research Complete
Description
Abstract:In this article we describe a culturally relevant activity in which middle schoolers blended learning about Día de los Muertos with using the tools and technologies in a school makerspace to complete an integrated STEM project. Our motivation was to explicitly emphasize the traditions and cultural significance of Día de los Muertos, a holiday which is often confused with Halloween. At the same time, we sought to provide students with opportunities to engage with science and engineering content and practices throughout the project. Specifically, students designed and built ofrendas (i.e., altars) in honor of loved ones who had passed away. To do this, they engaged in a design cycle in which they defined the challenge, brainstormed solutions, sketched ideas, prototyped solutions, constructed models based on prototype feedback, and showcased their final models. During each stage, students reflected on the process. Three students who participated in the project also contributed to authoring the article. Next steps for continuing to incorporate culturally relevant projects into middle school makerspaces are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:08872376
DOI:10.1080/08872376.2025.2537624