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This 8.75-minute video from NOVA features Steven Tallas of Arizona and his exploration of the hogan, a traditional structure found in the Navajo Nation.
Steven compares the insulating power of a traditional hogan and its modern counterpart to a modern home, and explores the technical processes for building a hogan.
The filmmaker of this video has a fun sense of humor, incorporating humorous edits that keep students engaged.
The way the filmmaker speaks about his daughter and his idea for building her a hogan for her coming-of-age ceremony is an incredibly touching example of fatherhood.
Prerequisites
It may benefit students to do some research about traditional Navajo Nation structures and other aspects of Navajo culture.
Students should have a basic understanding of climate change.
Differentiation & Implementation
Teachers can use this as an example of doing something to protect future generations from the effects of climate change. Students can brainstorm things they can do that may benefit future generations in the same way.
If teachers have access to a thermal camera, students can measure the temperature inside/under different shade structures on the school grounds, hypothesizing about why some shade structures work better than others.
Teachers can connect this resource to Sustainable Development Goal 13, Climate Action. Additionally, if teachers go into the health impacts associated with extreme heat, this resource can be related to Goal 3, Good Health and Well-Being.
Scientist Notes
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Related Teaching Resources
All resources can be used for your educational purposes with proper attribution to the content provider.
