07E/S:102
Technology in the Classroom

Inquiry Project Description

Ima Sample

Proposed Topic

The Native American Round DanceII. Overview I have had the fortunate experience of working with Native American youth over the last few summers. Teachers and school administrators nominate Native American high school students from across the country towards admission to the American Indian Science and Engineering Society summer enrichment program. The thirty selected students live in dormitories on the University of Iowa campus and help Health Science faculty conduct research. I instruct the thirty participants on how to use computers to advance their research and prepare their final presentations. At the end of the summer all students, faculty and staff gather in a park for closing ceremonies. Prominent Native Americans make speeches which are followed by an awards ceremony and dinner. Eventually the tables are cleared for the round dance. Usually there are two drummers who sing Native songs as everyone holds hands in a large circle and walk hand-in-hand in same direction to the beat of the drums. Native Americans from as far away as Alaska and New Mexico seem well acquainted with this form of social expression. This type of ceremony, which seemingly crosses boundaries in many Native cultures, is something I want to further explore

.Internet Sites and Children's Books