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| The completed exhibit, ready for viewers. |
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| Executive Director Dr. Carolyn Boyd joins students from Buena Vista Elementary School (left to right) Nadia Ford, Deer Clan; Devrie Beazer, Wolf Clan;
Kyra Fuller, Ringtail Clan; and Ramcel Rodriguez, Panther Clan. Not pictured: Ashley Arreola, Bear Clan. These pupils were winners in an essay contest held among classes that had attended a Scientists of the Lower Pecos program at SHUMLA School. Their essays were about the importance of learning in our society. |
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| Items used during a friction fire starting demonstration. This activity illustrates the principles of transfer of energy. |
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| Jack Johnson (lower right) demonstrates friction fire starting during the exhibit opening ceremonies. |
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| Stone tools similar to those used by prehistoric Native Americans in the area. Items such as these were vital in their way of life. |
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| Walker Boyd enjoys learning about SHUMLA School and its activities. |
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| Objects made from fiber taken from local plants. Items such as these helped prehistoric Native Americans live in the Lower Pecos region. |
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| On the left, Angel Johnson prepares her paint-making demonstration while Dr. Carolyn Boyd, Missy Harrington, and Craig Hensley make final adjustments to one of the exhibits. |
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| (right) Jo Ann Harris, Vice President of the SHUMLA School Board of Directors, discusses programs with Paula Bostick, principal of Buena Vista Elementary in Del Rio, Texas. Behind is Shannalea Taylor (center) talking with Jennie Owens (far right), principal of Lamar Elementary, Del Rio, Texas. |
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| Bill Cauthorn, CEO of the Westex Corporation and member of the SHUMLA School Board of Directors, welcomes visitors to the exhibit. |
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| Angel Johnson (left) demonstrates how prehistoric Native Americans of the area made paint. |
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Pecos River Kids: Experiencing the Past — Investing in the Future
...an exhibit featured at
The Bank and Trust Del Rio, Texas
Exhibit Dates: October 6–Ongoing
October 5, 2006 marked the opening celebration for a new exhibit in the lobby of The Bank and Trust in Del Rio, Texas. This exhibit highlights SHUMLA School and its activities with students from Del Rio's elementary schools. Following is some of the text from that exhibit.
WHAT IS THE SHUMLA SCHOOL?
The Shumla School is a not-for-profit heritage and environmental
education organization located along the Pecos River 50 miles west of
Del Rio, Texas.
WHAT IS THE MISSION OF SHUMLA SCHOOL?
The mission of the Shumla School is to connect people of all ages with
the land and their cultural heritage through education programs studying
human use of materials, land, and art.
Pride in our country — an understanding of our past, concern for the
present, and vision for our future — stems from a close attachment to
the land and our cultural roots.
Through outdoor, experiential heritage education programs, the SHUMLA
School equips individuals for intelligent and fruitful participation in
society by empowering them to embrace their cultural heritage and take
responsibility for their social and natural environments.
WHAT IS PECOS RIVER KIDS?
In November 2003, the SHUMLA School launched Pecos River Kids (PRK) — hands-on educational camps of varying duration provided to schools
across Texas.
PRK educational programs utilize an archeology based curriculum to lead
students in a discovery process through activities that focus on
physical, life, and earth sciences. These activities provide
learning-by-doing opportunities that enhance classroom lessons and teach
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) science and math objectives.
K.E.Y. Project . . .
The K.E.Y. (Knowledge Enriching Youth) Project is a unique cooperative
effort involving SHUMLA School, Amistad National Recreation Area, and
Seminole Canyon State Park and Historic Site.
This project was created to teach Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills
(TEKS) science objectives to students within the framework of heritage
education.
This innovative partnership project provides students with educational
field trips to heritage sites in the region over the course of three
years, targeting 4th–6th graders in the San Felipe-Del Rio CISD. Each
of these field trips is designed to connect the students with their land
and cultural heritage, as well as meet the identified need of school
administrators to improve academic performance in the sciences.
Day Camps . . .
Using the landscape surrounding the campus as its blackboard, SHUMLA
School offers Day Camps to students of South Texas. These hands-on
camps present the biology, ecology, and human history of a region rich
in cultural heritage and environmental diversity.
Upon arrival at SHUMLA students are divided into clans. For a full day,
Pecos River kids are immersed in the study of local plants and animals,
primitive technologies, and Native American lifeways as their clans
rotate through learning stations. They learn how to make stone tools,
baskets, musical instruments, and paint from locally available
resources. Students also engage in science experiments and use
mathematical applications to expand their knowledge.
Science Adventure Camps . . .
Life and Earth Science Adventure Camps are conducted during the summers
at SHUMLA School. These overnight camps are provided to a small group
of students who are selected by their principals and teachers.
Scholars, scientists, and professionals serve as instructors and role
models for these future naturalists, biologists, and geologists.
Over 9,000 children have been served through Pecos River Kids since 2003!
For more information about any of the programs SHUMLA School offers for students, contact Craig Hensley at 432-292-4848 or chensley@shumla.org.
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