Incredible collaborations and partnerships with our local schools and other supporting agencies
Thanks to the efforts of the Blue Lake Rancheria’s Tribal Education Agency and the development of the PathMakers programming in 2019, the agency has been able to gain and experience incredible collaborations and partnerships with our local schools and other supporting agencies. Our partnership with Big Lagoon, for example, began to blossom with a request for STEM-related activities. Thanks to the positive feedback, the PathMakers mobile technician Lisa K. Hoffman continued working with the school in their after-school programming. From Drone Legends and Air Quality monitoring, the explorations continued. Due to the ending of the PathMakers grant and the new Native American Career Technical Education Program (NACTEP) grant, Lisa continued from the previous explorations.
The following is a recap of recent events:
In September of 2024, Lisa K. Hoffman returned back to Big Lagoon Elementary earlier this month and was looking forward to restarting the Drone Legends Curriculum. All materials were ready to go, from charged batteries, extra propellers, a spare ChromeBook to guide them. The green light flashed anxiously on the Drone waiting for launch. No launch happened, no connectivity to wi-fi and there was something wrong with the propeller! Lisa asked Damian, an 8th grader for help. Thanks to his experience in handling drones, he safely and quickly placed a new propeller like a pro. Would the connection ever happen?
Rather than getting frustrated, it gave an opportunity to think of other ways to use the Drones. Could it record video while being held? What can we do to boost the signal? Should we try another spot on the campus? Another wonderful aspect of this experience is a reminder to be flexible in approaches and outcomes, leaving results to unfold organically. And speaking of which…
After the technical challenge, Rayvana came across the yard with huge grin. 
What was she holding? “Look! This is a Strawberry from our garden!” Noticing the nibble mark from the bottom, Lisa asked, “and how was it?”, to which she replied, “delicious since WE ALL HELPED it grow.”
Thank you to all of our partners for keeping the spirit of Unity, Community and Kinship!
