On April 23, 2025, the Kayenta Township hosted a STEM Earth Night event at the Kayenta Townhall, centering on the theme of environmental data sensors and air quality. The session was led by Franklin Stewart, a Data Scientist at Northern Arizona University and lead instructor for the Four Corners Science and Computing Club (4CSCC).
The Four Corners Science and Computing Club, launched in 2021 and based at NAU, is a regional initiative designed to promote computing and scientific literacy among Native American and rural youth in the Four Corners region. The club provides hands-on, culturally relevant learning experiences in physical computing, data science, and environmental monitoring through community workshops and school collaborations.
Kayenta Township, located in northeastern Arizona within the Navajo Nation, serves as a key governmental and administrative hub for the surrounding community. Known for its commitment to youth programming and local development, Kayenta actively supports initiatives that combine tradition, technology, and education—making it a fitting partner for Earth Week programming focused on environmental and scientific awareness.
The Earth Night event began with an engaging presentation on physical computing as a gateway to scientific computing. Stewart explained how scientific computing supports fields such as weather forecasting, environmental science, medicine, and engineering. He emphasized the critical role of air quality in community health—especially for individuals involved in trades such as welding, soldering, silversmithing, and pottery, which are deeply rooted in the region’s cultural and economic landscape.
Participants were introduced to the Raspberry Pi 400, a compact single-board computer ideal for educational settings. During the hands-on session, attendees assembled mobile computing kits and learned foundational circuitry. Under Stewart’s guidance, they coded a simple LED blinking sequence using the Python 3 programming language. This practical exercise served as a beginner-friendly introduction to logic and programming concepts.
The session also included a fun and educational activity on Morse code, in which participants programmed LEDs to blink in response to typed messages. This demonstrated not only basic coding principles but also digital communication in a tangible, interactive format.
To conclude the technical segment, Stewart showcased a real-time sensor dashboard that monitored temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, and particulate matter—highlighting how environmental data can be visualized and interpreted using scientific tools.
The event concluded with a community-centered discussion on how STEM education can be adapted to reflect and honor Indigenous cultural knowledge and lifeways. Stewart emphasized the value of blending modern scientific methods with local experiences, reinforcing that technology and tradition can coexist to serve community well-being.
The Kayenta Recreation Department expressed its gratitude to all attendees and contributors to this meaningful event, which was one of several activities held during Earth Week 2025 to promote environmental stewardship and STEM learning across the Navajo Nation.
Click HERE more information about the Four Corners Science and Computing club.
View more 4CSCC collaborative efforts HERE.