HR: 1330h
AN: ED13D-01    [Abstracts]
TI: South Dakota Space Grant Consortium: Balancing Indigenous Earth System and Space Science with Western/Contemporary Science
AU: * Bolman, j
EM: jacquelyn.bolman@sdsmt.edu
AF: South Dakota Space Grant Consortium, 501 East Saint Joseph Street, Rapid City, SD 57701 United States
AU: Nall, J
EM: jnall@pop100.gsfc.nasa.gov
AF: EduTech Ltd. EduTech Ltd. EduTech Ltd., 8455 Colesville Road Suite 930 , Silver Spring, MD 20910 United States
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 system and space science education, outreach and services 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 and reinforce the balance of Indigenous science and ways of knowing with current findings in Western/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 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 and Tribal Community partnerships with the Rosebud Sioux Reservation (Sinte Gleska University), Pine Ridge Indian Reservation (Oglala Lakota College), Standing Rock Sioux Reservation (Sitting Bull College) and Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation (Si Tanka) amongst others. Programs and activities to be explained during the presentation include but not limited to: NASA Workforce Native Connections, Scientific Knowledge for Indian Learning and Leadership (SKILL), NSF "Bridges to Success" Summer Research Program, NSF "Fire Ecology" Summer Research Experience, as well as geospatial and space science programs for students and general community members. The presentation will also cover the current initiatives underway through NASA Workforce Development. These include: partnering with the Annual He Sapa Wacipi (Black Hills Pow Wow - attendance of 14,000 Natives) to host Native Space Days 2005 (October 2005), NASA research and internship programs, and the NASA Student Fellowship 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 and the nation through developing a worldview and understanding of the integrated nature of all things, especially earth system and space science. 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 Natives with degrees in engineering, many of those students Tribal College transfers. This is a significant increase, as only forty Natives had graduated from SDSM&T between the years of 1970 and 2000. SDSM&T has seen a number of "historical firsts" in the past five years. We see this as being a direct result of creating for students an educational philosophy and process where Indigenous understanding and connections become the foundation on which to build a STEM degree program. NASA's presence on the SDSM&T campus and in South Dakota 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: 0399 General or miscellaneous
DE: 0800 EDUCATION
DE: 0805 Elementary and secondary education
DE: 0810 Post-secondary education
DE: 0850 Geoscience education research
SC: Education and Human Resources [ED]
MN: 2005 Joint Assembly