HR: 16:30h
AN: ED44A-03    [Abstracts]
TI: South Dakota NASA Space Grant Consortium Creating Bridges in Indian Country
AU: * Bolman, J R
EM: jacquelyn.bolman@sdsmt.edu
AF: South Dakota NASA Space Grant Consortium, 501 East Saint Joseph Street, Rapid City, SD 57701
AB: The South Dakota Space Grant Consortium (SDSGC) was established March 1, 1991 by a NASA Capability Enhancement Grant. Since that time SDSGC has worked to provide earth and space science educational outreach to all students across South Dakota. South Dakota has nine tribes and five tribal colleges. This has presented a tremendous opportunity to develop sustainable equitable partnerships and collaborations. SDSGC believes strongly in developing programs and activities that highlight the balance of indigenous science and ways of knowing with current findings in contemporary science. This blending of science and culture creates a learning community where individuals, especially students, can gain confidence and pride in their unique skills and abilities. Universities are also witnessing the accomplishments and achievements of students who are able to experience a tribal college environment and then carry that experience to a college/university/workplace and significantly increase the learning achievement of all. The presentation will highlight current Tribal College partnerships with Sinte Gleska University and Oglala Lakota College amongst others. Programs and activities to be explained during the presentation include: Native Connections, Scientific Knowledge for Indian Learning and Leadership (SKILL), Bridges to Success Summer Research Program, Fire Ecology Summer Experience, and dual enrolled/college bridge programs. The presentation will also cover the current initiatives underway through NASA Workforce Development. These include: partnering program with the Annual He Sapa Wacipi, American Indian Space Days 2005, NASA research/internship programs and NASA Fellow Summit. An overview of recent American Indian student success will conclude the presentation. The South Dakota School of Mines and Technology has struggled over many years to develop and implement sustainable successful initiatives with Tribal Colleges and Communities. The motivating philosophy is the betterment of all people in South Dakota. If people are provided equity and access, there is no limit to what they can accomplish. SDSM&T in the last three years has graduated nineteen American Indians with degrees in engineering, many of those students' tribal college transfers. This is a significant increase, as only forty American Indian had graduated in thirty years. NASA' presence on the SDSM&T campus has provided the necessary focus and encouragement for success to take place. We are building bridges in South Dakota and the builders are from Indian Country.
UR: http://www.sdsmt.edu/space/
DE: 6605 Education
DE: 6630 Workforce
DE: 0805 Elementary and secondary education
DE: 0810 Post-secondary education
DE: 0815 Informal education
SC: Education and Human Resourcese [ED]
MN: 2004 AGU Fall Meeting