Cruise to the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico Proves Educational

August 22, 2005

Chichen Itza is the origin of the Mayan calendar almost 4,000 years ago. The number zero came from Chichen Itza pyramid. The monument has 91 steps on 4 sides totaling 354. With the last single step on top, the total is 365 days for the year in one solar year cycle. The lunar cyle is symbolized by 9 larger steps. On the equinox, an image of a serpent's shadow illuminates on lenght of the pyramid steps. Next equinox is Septmber 2005 .



My sister, Jo Ann Boyd, and I went to The Yucatan Peninsula to see what we could see.
We climbed Chichen Itza Monument Pyramid near Progresso (North side of the peninsula). This autumn equinox will be the last time anyone will be allowed to climb this ancient Mayan site. We were guided by Mayans and even learned s few Mayan words.

It was very hot, wet, sweat pouring off every one.
It's amazing to think people could perform hard labor in sweltering weather as this.

This fall equinox, 2005, will be the last time anyone will be able to climb Chichen Itza. It will be protected for the sacred site and monument it is.

There is a prophecy of the Mayans of 2012, which is subject of interpretation and translation.

Their hieroglyphics include the snake, feathered eagle, and jaguar.
Quetzecoatal, a native god, is represented by these animals.
The calendar is based on the sun, with 365 days in the year, and the moon, of 28 days in the lunar cycle.


There were iguanas and native birds throughout the area. The government is making great efforts to excavate these pyramids in this area, working with National Geographic Society. These monuments made up a tremendous city headed by Montezuma.

Reservation Students Learn Through Environmental Science Field Trips & Technology

Students benefit from active hands on learning projects with the help of Toshiba.

May 25, 2005
Press Release: Students learn about their home through technology and field research. This spring, students of Little Wound School learned how to use GPS (Global Positioning Systems) with satellite triangulation, with the help of Toshiba Company. Gwen Foote worked with Toshiba representatives. A lesson module written by Gwen Foote was implemented when she wrote a grant request to Toshiba and was awarded funding to assist in the Module of Wildlife Management and Location through with GPS.

Gwen Foote, TAG Instructor/ Grant Writer, took students in collaborative groups on a field study to Kyle Dam, on Pine Ridge Reservation. Sixth graders mentored and helped younger students in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade learn about navigation with compasses and GPS handheld equipment.

They had prepared for this field study after several classes of math activities in the TAG classroom and Math Meets, Lakol Wowiyukcan (Lakota: Math Thought Process), a teachers’ collaboration project with hands on active learning centers. Teachers Reva High Horse, Val Charging Eagle, Gwen Foote, and ISD Theresa Mendoza volunteered their time and materials for students to participate in a math competition/ festival.

Lessons are integrated in a Module that focusing on Science, Math, and Presentations with Technology with collaborative, cooperative learning groups, older classes mentoring younger classes. Field Practice takes place at Kyle Dam a short distance form Little Wound School in Kyle, SD Curriculum Module written by Gwen Foote. Grades 1-6 work in the field as mentors and collaborators in data collection for analysis and interpretation through computer technology for presentations.
Gwen Foote wrote the grant awarded to Little Wound School from NASA. This is a whole school approach in bringing NASA programs to the students and helping teachers with professional development through NASA.




Display Presentation by 6th Graders of GPS Location through Triangulation at INMED Science Fair.
(Joseph Rosales &

Jason Feather Earring Jr.)

Digital Moments at 2005 NES Student Symposium, Johnson Space Center

From Circle of Nations Native American School in North Dakota, Kathy with two of her students , make a presentation to NASA representatives at May2005 NES Student Symposium at Johnson Space Center.














Gwen Foote at 2005 NASA Leadership Symposium at Johnson Space Center.





2005 NASA Leadership Symposium
group of educators as they attend seminars at Johnson Space Center at Houston, Texas.
Exceptional teachers going above & beyond tremendous standards to assure their students and associates have outstanding opportunities in career focused activities and professional development deserve KUDOS.


We've come a long way, Baby!!!

2005 NASA Explorer School Partnerships:

NASA selects 50 schools in the United States to particiapte in a partnership of opportunites and career development for students and educators -NASA Explorer Schools.

The press release for 2005 took place in May with a website announcement.

For NASA-TV on the Web, go to http://nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/. Dish Network (channel 213) and DirecTV (Channel 376) carry the NASA Channel.

NASA-TV is also Web cast through the Internet.

One of the team leaders of a NASA Explorer School (California) from 2005 takes pictures of team leaders and students participating in the press release.
School Teams are divided in groups pertaining to their location of NASA installations. Johnson Space Center (pictured here) is represented by schools in the midwestern United States. Schools of cultural diversity in underprivileged regions, minorities, and those students in disadvantaged environments are focused for being awarded an opportunity to received career oriented activities for students and professional development for educators.

Native American students get a chance to participate in the space program.

Last winter I was encouraged to write a grant for our school, from NASA representatives.
This spring, I was surprised and excited to find out we were awarded a grant as a member of NASA Explorer School Partnership, 1 of 50 chosen throughout the country. This was the first time a school in South Dakota became a NES School and only a few on Indian reservations have participated in this program.

2005: A Summer of Friends and Professional Growth

Oglala Lakota College stays busy even in the summer. Pine Ridge Indian Reservation held dedication of the Science and Technology Center with their ribbon cutting ceremony the day before graduation ceremonies this summer.

Amber documented the ceremony through video as she completed the first video productions class to graduate from OLC.
Misty Brave, coordinator fo INMED/HCOP Program at OLC

Cmdr John Herrington, NASA Astronaut & keynote speaker at the graduation

Gwen (Wendy) Foote, educator in Kyle school and OLC

Students from the INMED Summer Honor Program (Indians in Medicine).

These students pictured are only a few of the representatives from Pine Ridge Schools who attend OLC Summer classes to advance their education and skills in the field of medicine.

These are high school students who plan to attend college in the medical field.

They enjoyed participating in the OLC/NSF/NASA activities as they relate to medicine.

Amber Montileaux, Gwen Foote, & Theresa Mendoza celebrate Oglala Lakota College Graduation festivities. Thank you Theresa for your encouragement in the educational field.

Graduation at Oglala Lakota College on Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. Graduates increase each year as more students enroll and instructors represent cultures from around the world. Congrats to all the graduates at OLC.

FootePrints

I am an educator; elementary to middle school with a special interest in sciences, art, and social sciences.
I have one son, Shawn Robert, who has followed his Grandfathers’ tradition of military service. He is a marine who did a tour of duty in Iraq.
We have a large family with strong closeknit ties.
My sister, JoAnn is pursuing leads on our genealogy, documenting information we grew up learning about our ancestery.

Summer 2005

Summer; July 2005

So what do I want to be when I grow up? I’m still a work in progress!
After a career of almost 20 years as a registered medical technologist and 10+ years a professional artist, I discovered a desire for more life long learning.

I recently graduated from Oglala Lakota College with a BS Degree in Elementary Education, K-8; Art, K-12; Certified Special Education, K-12.
I’ve been teaching on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota for the past 5 years and will be teaching at Oglala Lakota College this fall, 2005.

This summer, I worked with middle and high school students in summer honors’ programs.



INMED/HCOP (Indians in Medicine) is a 6 week honors program, with Oglala Lakota College for high school students, who attended classes and engaged learning activities. This prepares students for a career in the medical field. I taught science, biomedical technology emphasizing the clinical laboratory.

In July I went to University of South Dakota to help with the Gifted & Talented Institute working with middle and high school students. Students attended classes in performing arts, science, communication arts, and technology. The students were excited and excelled in everything they experienced.
Students from Pine Ridge (Kyle) and Rosebud Indian Reservation attended this Governor’s Camp honors program at The University of South Dakota. Dr Tim Duggan headed USD’s Gifted & Talented Institute and the Governor’s Camp.

Gwen Foote (photo by Austin)