Junior Year- American Southwest
For our junior year, my class was guinea pig, as AGS embarked to the American Southwest to learn about a variety of subjects from nuclear museums to Native American history.
Trip Highlights: Bandelier National Monument, Tent Rocks National Monument, To'hajilee Reservation, Glorieta Camp, Acoma Pueblo, National Museum of Nuclear Science and History, downtown Albuquerque
Trip Theme: The relationship between the US government and Native American tribes (as well as the history behind it)
The New Mexico was very distinct from my previous AGS trips, in that the culture and monuments were spectacles I've never seen like anywhere else. It was quite interesting to feel foreign even though I was still standing on American soil during my To'hajilee visit. The New Mexican landscape is diverse and rugged and very fun to explore. I got the chance to visit a dormant volcano, ascend to Sandia Peak, hike through tent rocks, and observe near-ancient petroglyphs. The trip was very diverse in the activities that you get to engage in as well. We explored the old town of Albuquerque, met Navajo Native Americans, ate at buffets, visit science museums, and play a wide range of games at Glorietta- which included gaga ball, my new found favorite sport. This trip, similar to the previous ones, tied into what we were learning in school, which was the oppression and expounding of Native Americans from their tribal lands. New Mexico basically transported you back in history to the times of the Native Americans peak presence. I recommend this trip for it's fun attractions and the huge freedom you are granted which is way better than the past two trips. There are plenty of opportunities to hang out with your friends and choose what you want to do while completing the learning activities you're assigned.
Trip Highlights: Bandelier National Monument, Tent Rocks National Monument, To'hajilee Reservation, Glorieta Camp, Acoma Pueblo, National Museum of Nuclear Science and History, downtown Albuquerque
Trip Theme: The relationship between the US government and Native American tribes (as well as the history behind it)
The New Mexico was very distinct from my previous AGS trips, in that the culture and monuments were spectacles I've never seen like anywhere else. It was quite interesting to feel foreign even though I was still standing on American soil during my To'hajilee visit. The New Mexican landscape is diverse and rugged and very fun to explore. I got the chance to visit a dormant volcano, ascend to Sandia Peak, hike through tent rocks, and observe near-ancient petroglyphs. The trip was very diverse in the activities that you get to engage in as well. We explored the old town of Albuquerque, met Navajo Native Americans, ate at buffets, visit science museums, and play a wide range of games at Glorietta- which included gaga ball, my new found favorite sport. This trip, similar to the previous ones, tied into what we were learning in school, which was the oppression and expounding of Native Americans from their tribal lands. New Mexico basically transported you back in history to the times of the Native Americans peak presence. I recommend this trip for it's fun attractions and the huge freedom you are granted which is way better than the past two trips. There are plenty of opportunities to hang out with your friends and choose what you want to do while completing the learning activities you're assigned.
To'hajilee ReservationVisiting the To'hajilee reservation was probably the most fun part of the trip, because we actually got to interact with Native Americans- in fact school children. At the elementary school, we practiced math and reading with them on their computers, they sang songs to us, and we gave them gifts as a farewell. A few days later I received a handmade card from my second grader, Joanie.
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Tent Rocks National MonumentWe embarked on a 3 mile hike up fairly challenging terrain. The altitude was probably the biggest factor during the hike. Guided by a geologists, we eventually made it to the highest point in the national park, where we witnessed a breathtaking, 360 degree view.
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Bandelier National MonumentHere, we split into smaller groups and waked about 2 miles around the park. We learned about the pueblo peoples' home structures, cliff dwellings, and familial structure. In addition, we walked alongside towering mountains searching for wildlife to record.
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Acoma Pueblo- "Sky City" |
National Museum of Nuclear Science and History |
At Acoma Pueblo, we took a bus because the pueblo is located on top of a mesa which would've been a long walk. The Acoma Pueblo is one of only two pueblos in the US that is located on a mesa. According to the locals, the reason it is built on a mesa is so that they can remain closer to the spirits above. Here, we were guided by Jai, a pueblo woman who taught us about why the houses were built how they were, how the village functions, the cultural specific items, the history of the place, and her own life. We then entered the San Esteban mission, which was a catholic church built in the 17th century (not in use anymore). In the end, we learned that the pueblo people are continuously adapting to the modern world as old traditions fade away and new ones are created.
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At the museum the permanent displays and constantly changing special exhibits present the history, science and diverse applications, pioneers and future developments of nuclear energy. There we were let free to visit a variety of exhibits such as element building stations, static electricity, wind power, WW2 stories, and the "back to the future" car.
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