Integrating Indigenous Knowledge and STEM for Sustainability in African Science Curricula

Abstract

As education systems around the world move towards sustainability and fairness, adding Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education has become a strong way to reform/change the curriculum, especially in Africa. This chapter examines the integration of African traditional ecological practices, medicinal knowledge, agricultural systems, and ethical values into STEM education to foster culturally responsive and sustainability-focused learning. Utilizing case examples from Nigeria and several African nations, the chapter demonstrates effective methods for incorporating indigenous knowledge, such as the application of Zobo in biology education and traditional meteorological predictions in environmental science, into the conventional curriculum. It also lays out a strategy framework for participatory curriculum development, with a focus on localized content, indigenous languages, interdisciplinary education, and professional development for teachers.