Conflict on High: The Struggle Between Astronomers and Native People

In this lesson, students will learn about the conflicts that can arise between the astronomical and local communities over the construction of telescopes. They will read two sources about the conflict and resolution between Native Americans and astronomers over the construction of telescopes on Kitt Peak in Arizona. They will analyze the bias in these two sources. Then they will research and present the various aspects of the conflict between native Hawaiians and astronomers over the construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope on the peak of Mauna Kea on the island of Hawaii. They will debate about the possible solutions to the unresolved conflict at Mauna Kea.