HBCU students with Dr. Sumanth Reddy on their tour of National Parks supported by the American Association of Geographers (AAG)

On this week’s episode of Through the Human Geography Lens, Dr. Sumanth Reddy, Assistant Professor of Geography within the Department of History and Government at Bowie State University, an HBCU in Maryland, shares his experience leading students on a cross-country trip to explore our national parks. 

In May of this year, Dr. Reddy and nine of his students embarked on a 10-day, 1800-mile exploration through five national parks after receiving a grant from the American Association of Geographers. Dr. Reddy is also joined in the studio by two of the students from the trip, Ayen Kuol, a computer science graduate student, and Rodah Ngorem, a sophomore majoring in nursing, who share their experiences and what they learned on the trip. 

NBC News clip:

https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/prince-georges-county/bowie-state-students-touring-national-parks-in-southwest/3061934/

Baltimore Times: 

https://baltimoretimes-online.com/featured/2022/05/23/bsu-students-embark-on-10-day-exploration-of-national-parks/

Dr. Reddy is offering advice and support to anyone considering a similar trip: 

https://bowiestate.edu/directories/faculty-and-staff-directory/sreddy.php 

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00:50 Why was this trip with your students to five National Parks important?

05:25 Did you have any learning goals for your students before the trip?   

06:20 Was this trip associated with a formal class?

08:10 Walk us through the ten-day trip (answered by Rhodah)

1. Arches National Park

a. https://www.nps.gov/arch/index.htm 

2. Grand Canyon National Park

a. https://www.nps.gov/grca/index.htm 

3. Great Sand Dunes National Park

a. https://www.nps.gov/grsa/index.htm 

4. Mesa Verde National Park

a. https://www.nps.gov/meve/index.htm 

5. Rocky Mountain National Park

a. https://www.nps.gov/romo/index.htm 

• Four Corners Monument

o https://navajonationparks.org/tribal-parks/four-corners-monument/ 

• Black American West Museum, Denver

o https://www.bawmhc.org/ 

• Five Points Neighborhood, Denver

o https://www.denver.org/neighborhoods/five-points/ 

• Buffalo Soldier Exhibit, Fort Garland, CO

o https://www.historycolorado.org/exhibit/buffalo-soldiers-west 

09:50 How were the National Parks selected?

13:00 Do you have any advice for other educators that might wish to lead similar trips?

15:15 Beyond your experience on the trip did you learn anything about yourself? 

15:20 Rhodah answers (significant apprehension)

16:05 Ayen answers (not everyone in her family was in favor of the trip)

18:35 Dr. Reddy on cultural distinctions and the black experience while traveling

21:00 To the students: Would you go again?

The HBCU Outdoor Ambassador Program

https://www.hbcusoutside.com/getinvolved

The National Park Trust

https://parktrust.org/ 

DC Arboretum Summer Camp for Kids

http://www.washingtonyouthgarden.org/green-ambassadors-program/

Disclaimer:

Opinions expressed on this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of the WWHGD sponsors and should not be construed as an endorsement.