The RISE-MESA College Preparation (MCP) program concluded a year of water study with a four-day STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) on July 13-17, 2024. Thirty-two youth came to understand that water has a right to exist, to not be polluted or wasted, in order to give everything and everyone life.
MCP (MESA College Preparation) is a collaborating partner with Modoc and Surprise Valley Joint Unified School Districts through the Work-Based Learning (WBL) project for Modoc students. It intends to increase male student involvement, the inclusion of Native youth, and equity-learner opportunities with CS4NorCal (cs4norcal.org) funding. A Surprise Valley High School 2024 graduate and California Outstanding Native Student of the Year, is evidence of the effectiveness of the consortium pathways. The MESA Hydrology Project has received industry support from the Bureau of Land Management in Modoc and the Environment Programs Officer of the Pit River Tribe.
Water directly applies to all learning and people, while offering exploratory and
experiential learning built upon an education foundation with diverse STEM career options. Twenty MESA and twelve RISE youth concluded two-years of study in the Sacramento area with the four-day activity. With a spectrum of respect and appreciation for water, RISE Director Dr. April Lea Go Forth developed the hydrology project from an agriculture degree and credential. RISE Culture Advisor Lisa Craig enhanced the project with traditions on the spirit of water and service as authentic leadership.
Elementary, middle and high school youth interacted with exceptional speakers throughout the four-days. They began at the Hopper-Broussard ranch in Lincoln with a Nisenan land acknowledgment by United Auburn Indian School Counselor Carly Kohler. A new 7th Generation of Warriors for Peace trainer, Paul Steele, addressed water types and facts with inspiring career choices in the field of hydrology. The US Army Corps of Engineers taught in the field about water mechanics using an interactive erosion table. The United States Forest Service made a special appearance with Bobber, the safety dog, and demonstrated how temperature relates to water safety with a hands-on activity. International motivational speaker, DJ Vanas, expressed the necessity of water with a personal account of how water impacted his life’s journey, and the health benefits of water to our body and mind. Vanas spoke individually with each person, signing copies of his book, ‘The Warrior Within’. Distinguished mediator/peacemaker, Magdalena Steele, spoke on the sacredness of water, and our responsibility to protect it as a relative. She led the large group on a walk for water at a historical waterway.
MESA Assistant Director Billie Austin organized a day at California State University,
Sacramento (CSUS) with campus staff and past Surprise Valley graduate, Robyn Pitts. Upon University arrival, Pitts welcomed the group with a CSUS ‘swag bag’. The CSUS tour included the Tribal College site and key locations where water has a critical role in everyday campus life. The Sustainability Project was a highlight, with the garden tour led by Ryan, Joshua, and Sari. Youth learned how all harvested produce from the aquaponics greenhouse and garden, and eggs from a chicken coop, are donated to a campus food pantry for Sac State students. Bee hives not only pollinate the CSUS garden but sale of harvested honey provides an income.
MESA impressions were high with CSUS techniques that avoid water loss, solar panels that support campus electricity needs, and composting of landscaping and food waste in the garden. Keeping with sustainability on campus, a team of college students converted a golf cart with a solar panel roof, eliminating the need for daily charging. Some RISE youth enjoyed the tour riding that solar golf cart. Innovative campus water conservation designs exposure youth to new career considerations with water. The University visit concluded at the planetarium with a relaxing and educational show. It also revealed that the fantastic facility was built from recycled materials, construction waste and wood from campus trees.
Youth and chaperones of MESA Advisors and RISE staff added the State Fair to the
itinerary for firsthand observation of how water is involved in economic factors with landscape, health and safety, livestock, entertainment and esthetics. Recreation was not overlooked and the full group spent a day at a water park, concluding the trip with a movie. The hydrology field trip was planned for long, full days of educational and enriching experiences. MESA and RISE youth confirmed it was a successful outcome.
DJ Vanas shared a personal quest story about the necessity of water.
Complex represents a pebble in the water and the wood used in the building
was repurposed from campus trees.
a photo that ended the day.
Wake Island was a refreshing and fun example of water recreation.
