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� � � • • - � � � � "Watch out! Don't let the osprey get you° "Those big fish come from these tiny eggs?" "They call them SACFRY?!?" Those were among the calls and questions as students at the 2008 White Earth Reservation Academy of Math and Science played "Run for Your Life Cycle" learning about the life stages and journeys of the I<ind of fish they're likely to see in 1a1<es nearby. In the water resources component of last summer's program, they also followed the path of a single drop of water through the hydrologic cycle, creating bracelets of colored beads with spiri- tual significance, and recognizing the importance of water in the natural world. Nine years ago, in an effort to raise the high school gradu- ation rates of Native American youth, University of Minnesota facultyjoined the White Earth Indian Reservation to create a summer pragram curriculum that would weave Yraditional Ojibwe skills and culture with math and science. Reservation natural resource managers, tribal elders and teachers, as well as UM faculty, worked together to create the White Earth Reser� tion Science and Math Summer Program. Faculty from the W Program and WRC have participated in the program since its beginning. The four-weel< course uses the Reservation's natural re- `' sources to teach children in grades four through 8 about matl and science, connecting those disciplines to Ojibwe traditionl Students work on `a shared project throughout the four week� In past courses, students have designed an environmental -': learning center for the Reservation, built a full-sized birch bai canoe, and produced a video documentary about the Reserya tion. This summer they created vegetable gardens for commu nity elders. Professor Charles Blinn (Forest Resources) has � the program since its planning stages in 1998. Whi of the curriculum varies, he enjoys the constant of same people from University campuses across Mir the tribal representatives. "B these partners is a great opp� Blinn. He is pleased by the h: age of 1<ids who return each ? stimulates a welcome challer. mal<ing the learning fun and` Typically, the instructor;r a tribal elder to map out the3 relates Ojibwe culture to the`- science curriculum and sho�ti how science and math relatel tional ways of knowing" Stud tour the University of Minriei ston campus, meet campus f� attend classses geared to thei� Deb Zalc, Northwest District Director, said, "The partnersli the Reservation teachers and` Professor Ray Newman describes periphyton and aquatic insects on a rock. Plan report continued from page 1 land and water restoration, sustainable practices and economic incentives for sustainability. Water is one of the signature naturaI resources of Minnesota, and its protec- tion and restoration is prominent in the recommendations. While each of the four issue teams had a specific focus, many of the recammendations converged across teams, providing multiple natu- ral resource benefits. For example, the recommendation to transition to grow- ing perennial biomass rather than annual Minnegram raw-crops for use in biofuels as soon as the technology allows would improve in-stream and in-field habitat, dampen peak stream flows that cause streambanl< erosion, improve soil and water quality, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The recommendations are being used to set the research agenda far the LCCMR and to guide budget planning for several agencies. The entire report, including recommendations, is available at http//:wwwlccmr.leg.mn. Water Resources Science faculty 5 a unique summer educati� nity to make learning mat. enjoyable while creating o the University so they can students to consider enrol once they graduate from h David MuIla, Anne I<apuscinsl<i� and �' WRC agronomist Les Everett played :' 1<ey roles as team co-leads. Other team .. co-leads included Lance Necl<ar'from the Department of Landscape Architecture, Don Fosnacht, George Host, and Gerald Niemi from NRRI-UMN Duluth, Cyn- thia Hagley fram Minnesota Sea Grant, John Shardlow from Bonestroq and Jean Coleman from CR Planning, Questions . about the plan can be directed to Deb Swacl<hamer (dswack@umn.edu). September 2008 `