White Earth Summer Academy
The University of Minnesota Extension has a longstanding partnership with the White Earth Nation in north central Minnesota to operate a summer day-camp program for 40 reservation youth in grades 4–8. This unique program uses American Indian culture and heritage as a vehicle for studying math, science, and engineering.
In June 2017, White Earth Nation students were introduced to transportation topics in an RSI session. This is the third year RSI has participated in the program.
In one lesson, students learned how plants used in roadside vegetation can improve the environment, help pollinators, and control snow. Another interactive lesson, co-taught by Minnesota Toward Zero Deaths program regional coordinator Tom Nixon, focused on safety and distraction.