Cherokee Nation to Offer Science and Technology Camp
TAHLEQUAH, OK — The Cherokee Nation will host an overnight Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Camp from Sunday, June 8 through Friday, June 20, on the Sequoyah Schools campus. Registration will begin at 5 p.m. on Sunday, June 8.
The camp is being hosted by the Cherokee Nation Education Department and will provide students with the opportunity to actively participate in a science-based learning environment.
Students will have the chance to participate in a Robotic Project class, which will be taught by Dr. Calvin Cole of Northeastern State University and The Long Man Project, taught by Dr. Paul Shipman of the Rochester Institute in New York.
The Robotic Project will involve a series of competitive and cooperative projects to be built by teams of up to four participants. Students will learn skills geared toward the development of teamwork, planning, organization, programming, torque, speed, power, feedback and creativity. At least two of the projects will address engineering as applied to real world energy and societal problem solving.
The Long Man Project will introduce students to tribal thinking processes, which is defined as Native Science and is considered as a distinct method of inquiry by the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Native Science processes include the incorporation of the use of stories, emulation and spirituality. While the project will focus on contemporary and traditional Cherokee world views, students will be expected to insert their own unique cultural identities.
The STEM Camp is free and open to Cherokee students in grades 9 through 12 who are enrolled in schools within the jurisdictional boundaries of the Cherokee Nation. All students must provide a copy of their tribal membership card to participate. The camp will only accept 30 participants. All meals are provided.
For more information or to enroll contact Daniel Faddis at (918) 453-5224.