AISIESS

The American Indian Summer Institute in Earth System Science

AIRP_SealThe American Indian Summer Institute in Earth System Science is a two-week program run by Professor Kathleen Johnson in UCI’s Department of Earth System Sciences. Native American high school students participate to learn more about environmental studies that are of relevance to tribal concerns. Water PIRE participates in engaging these students through two main avenues:

1) A tour of the UCI San Joaquin Marsh Reserve highlighting the importance and use of constructed wetlands
2) Interaction with UPP Down Under participants and Water PIRE researchers via a web forum to provide information and answer questions for the AISIESS students

12Additionally, this collaboration provides two benefits for Water PIRE’s UPP Down Under.
1) It is a format for educating UPP Down Under participants on the importance of public outreach while providing them with the opportunity to engage in it with the guidance of Water PIRE researchers.
2) It provides a segue into a discussion with UPP Down Under students on the Native American cultural views of land and water management and their comparison to other views, an important part of our students’ cultural experience.

We are also pleased that the American Indian Resource Program will be sharing our PIREWolf Productions videos with their students. We look forward to both of these collaborations continuing to grow in the future.