KEY-Project Program:
Scientists of the Lower Pecos
September 13, 2006

Location
The Scientists of the Lower Pecos activities were held at the SHUMLA campus at Shumla Ranch, 50 miles west of Del Rio, Texas. Part of the Knowledge Enriching Youth (KEY) Project, this program is one part of a educational partnership between SHUMLA, the Amistad National Recreation Area — National Park Service, and Seminole Canyon State Park and Historic Site — Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

Instructors
SHUMLA instructors included Executive Assistant Angel Johnson, Curriculum Director Missy Harrington, Neal Stilley, Bud Fackelman, rancher Jack Harrington, and anthropologist Jack Johnson from the National Park Service.

Activities
On September 13, 2006, 59 students from the 4^thgrade at Buena Vista Elementary School in Del Rio, Texas, along with 14 teachers and parents, attended a full-day Scientists of the Lower Pecos KEY-Project program at the SHUMLA campus. Using archeology and primitive technology as a foundation for teaching math and science skills, SHUMLA and National Parks representatives provided hands-on opportunities for enhancing classroom lessons. Students were divided into five groups: the Bear Clan, Deer Clan, Ringtail Clan, Wolf Clan, and Panther Clan. Upon their arrival at the SHUMLA campus each clan was directed to its first station and began a rotation of lessons and demonstrations. These stations included:

• May the Force be with You, The Atlatl Advantage: Jack Johnson and Jack Harrington directed students in the use of the atlatl for spear throwing and students calculated the distances of the throws.
• Paint Making Experiment: Angel Johnson, with the help of Elaine Flinchum, led students in a hands-on experiment replicating prehistoric paint making and discussed how prehistoric art was used to communicate information necessary for survival.
• The Adaptation Station: Missy Harrington instructed students about the nature of plant and animal adaptations.
• The Lifeways Station: Bud Fackelman discussed how prehistoric Native Americans lived in the Lower Pecos area including the tools made; the items made from fiber such as baskets, mats, and sandals; the kinds of food eaten; and the kinds of shelters.
• Friction Fire Starting: Neal Stilley used primitive fire starting techniques to teach about energy forms and transfer of energy.

Volunteers
Programs at SHUMLA are made possible through the help of our volunteers. This program's volunteers were Brenda Norman, Elaine Flinchum, Robbie Dudley, Carolyn Boyd, Kathleen Burgess, Bud Fackelman, rancher Jack Harrington, and Jack Johnson—Student Conservation Association (SCA) Intern at Amistad National Recreation Area (NPS).

Cost
This program was underwritten by a grant to SHUMLA from the Del Rio Bank and Trust, and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Community Outreach Program.

Information
For more information contact the education division at education@shumla.org or call the office at
432-292-4848.

Evaluation comments from students:

"Today was exciting and fun because we learned so many cool facts about Indians."

"Today was fantastic because we learned so much today."

"Today was super duper good because we had fun and learned."

Teacher's comment:

"Hands-on activities allowed students to experiment and 'own' their new knowledge and discoveries."