Indigenous Storytelling at the 2026 NV STEAM Conference

By Kelsey Fitzgerald 

Last month at the Nevada Museum of Art, a few hundred K-12 teachers from across Nevada gathered on a Saturday morning to contemplate STEAM—the idea that students’ understanding of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) can be complemented and strengthened by incorporating the arts. The 2026 NV STEAM Conference, cohosted by the Desert Research Institute (DRI), also included a Friday night open house at the DRI campus.

As part of the conference, the Native Resilience project led two sessions titled “Storytelling for Resilience: Bridging Indigenous Knowledge and Climate Science,” highlighting how our project uses storytelling to spread awareness about climate-related challenges and resilience in Indigenous communities. Native Resilience team members shared information about our resilience reporters program, as well as story examples, hands-on activities, and supporting K-12 educational curriculum from Native Resilience’s teaching resources and DRI’s Green Box Program.

Presenters from the Native Resilience team included Program Director Maureen McCarthy, Resilience Reporter Mary Wilson, Communication Coordinator Kelsey Fitzgerald, and Educational Engagement Coordinator Ileah Kirchoff. Other speakers included DRI STEM Education Specialist Cara Schaefer, artist Oscar Tuazon, and representatives from the Nevada Museum of Art.

Woman standing on a stage speaking at a podium.
Emily McDonald-Williams, Director of STEM Education program at DRI, welcomes educators to the 2026 NV STEAM Conference.
Credit: Tsvetelina Stefanova/DRI
Kelsey Fitzgerald speaking at a podium.
Native Resilience Communication Coordinator Kelsey Fitzgerald introduces the Native Resilience project at the 2026 NV STEAM conference.
Credit: Tsvetelina Stefanova/DRI
Mary C. Wilson speaking at a podium.
Native Resilience Reporter Mary C. Wilson presents at the 2026 NV STEAM conference.
Credit: Tsvetelina Stefanova/DRI
Maureen McCarthy speaking at a podium.
Native Resilience Program Director Maureen McCarthy leads the “Postcards to our Climate Future” activity during the 2026 NV STEAM conference.
Credit: Tsvetelina Stefanova/DRI
Four women standing next to each other posing for a photo.
Native Resilience team members (L to R) Maureen McCarthy, Ileah Kirchoff, Kelsey Fitzgerald, and Mary C. Wilson.
Credit: Tsvetelina Stefanova/DRI

April 8, 2026

Written by DRI Communications

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Fitzgerald | McCarthy | Native Resilience | Nevada Museum of Art | NV STEAM Conference

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