Sara Marie Ortiz

About

Sara Marie Ortiz is a leading scholar in culturally sustaining STEM education, with a focus on Indigenous resurgence through robotics and engineering. Her work bridges critical pedagogy, equity, and technology, centering Indigenous knowledge systems in K–12 and informal learning environments. Ortiz’s most-cited paper, “Codesigning With Indigenous Families and Educators: Creating Robotics Education That Contributes to Indigenous Resurgence” (2020), exemplifies her participatory, community-driven approach—collaborating with Indigenous families and educators to develop robotics curricula that honor tribal sovereignty and cultural identity. This work has garnered attention for its innovative integration of engineering design with Indigenous ways of knowing, offering a powerful model for decolonizing STEM classrooms. Ortiz’s research is distinguished by its commitment to equity and inclusion, challenging dominant narratives in technology education and amplifying the voices of Indigenous youth. Her contributions extend beyond academia, influencing policy and practice in multicultural STEM education. With a growing citation impact, Ortiz is recognized as a vital voice in reimagining engineering education as a site of cultural resilience and collective empowerment.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

Top Papers

1. 1
   Codesigning With Indigenous Families and Educators: Creating Robotics Education That Contributes to Indigenous Resurgence

   2 citations · 2020

Key Collaborators

Contact & Links