Gallup McKinley Academy (GMA) is an early college high school that offers a rigorous academic program allowing students to pursue both a high school diploma and college credits concurrently. GMA is the result of a robust partnership between Gallup McKinley County Schools (GMCS) and the University of New Mexico – Gallup (UNM-G). Students enrolled in the program receive free tuition, textbooks, supplies, and access to personal laptops to support their learning. The academy emphasizes college readiness by fostering independence, critical thinking, and self-directed learning in a collegiate environment.
Gallup McKinley County Schools serves a large and diverse population across northwestern New Mexico, including many students from Indigenous communities. The district is committed to providing equitable access to high-quality educational opportunities that prepare students for post-secondary success. Through innovative collaborations with higher education institutions like UNM-G, GMCS supports students in reaching their academic and career goals.
UNM-Gallup, a branch campus of the University of New Mexico, plays a central role in regional education by offering associate degrees, certificate programs, and dual credit partnerships with local high schools. Its mission includes expanding educational access and strengthening the pipeline from high school to higher education for students in rural and tribal communities.
The Four Corners Science and Computing Club (4CSCC), based at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona, was established in 2021 to increase awareness and interest in computing and its applications in science. Focused on serving students from Native American communities and rural schools across the Four Corners region, the club delivers hands-on workshops, mentoring, and educational resources to support skill-building in programming, data science, and scientific computing.
4CSCC Spring 2025 Workshop
In spring 2025, Dr. Allan Dino, a computer science and physics instructor at Gallup McKinley Academy, invited the Four Corners Science and Computing Club to conduct a hands-on scientific computing workshop for his students. This outreach initiative was designed to introduce real-world applications of computer science through interactive and project-based learning.
During the workshop, students worked in pairs to assemble and explore the 4CSCC Raspberry Pi 400 mobile kits. These kits included data sensors and peripherals pre-configured with the Raspbian operating system. Students participated in guided lessons that involved collecting and visualizing environmental data, programming in Python through the terminal and the Thonny IDE, and experimenting with Scratch for drag-and-drop coding. The workshop emphasized collaboration, creativity, and technical problem-solving.
Overall Assessment
The workshop received a wide range of positive feedback. Many participants reported a high level of satisfaction with their learning experience and noted that the hands-on format significantly deepened their understanding of scientific computing and data applications.
Material Presentation
The PowerPoint presentation used to introduce scientific computing concepts was praised for its clarity and accessibility. Students found it helpful in framing the importance of computing in modern science.
Student Engagement
Engagement levels were high throughout the workshop. The opportunity to work directly with Raspberry Pi computers and environmental sensors sparked curiosity and enthusiasm. Students especially valued the team-based nature of the activities, which fostered peer learning and collaborative thinking.
Knowledge Shared & Learned
One of the most consistent themes in the feedback was a boost in confidence. Students shared that they felt more capable of tackling programming tasks independently and were excited about continuing to explore coding and Raspberry Pi projects in future workshops or courses.
Suggestions for Improvement
Participants expressed a desire for more advanced and extended workshops in the future. Specific interests included environmental monitoring projects using Raspberry Pi, basic electrical engineering challenges, and deeper dives into programming concepts such as data visualization, robotics, and automation.
Conclusion
The Four Corners Science and Computing Club workshop at Gallup McKinley Academy was a resounding success. Students were highly engaged and left with a newfound interest in computing and its scientific applications. The overwhelmingly positive response points to the value of continued partnerships and the importance of sustained outreach in fostering STEM skills among students in rural and Indigenous communities.
Click HERE more information about the Four Corners Science and Computing club.
View more 4CSCC collaborative efforts HERE.