KEY-Project Program:
Scientists of the Lower Pecos
September 15, 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 the 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, and anthropologist Jack Johnson from the National Park Service.

Activities
On September 15, 2006, 71 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 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 Robbie Dudley, 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 Jodi Wiese, Pam Smith, 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 awesome and fun because we learned and had a blast at the same time."

"Today was fun, awesome because I learned a lot of things about Indian things. I love every single thing I learned. And Everybody."

"Today was very fun because we learned stuff that we didn't know."

Teachers' comments:

"The best part of today to me was watching my students' faces light up as they received new knowledge with every activity."

"My students live in a very similar environment but had never experienced the way their ancestors lived in the same environment. They now have the knowledge of survival in their environment."