STEAM in the PARK 2025 – Day 2 at Potomac River (Day 10/90)

Today was a powerful reminder of whose stories we’re walking through.

We spent our morning with the incredible team at the Accokeek Foundation and National Colonial Farm, where history breathes from the soil and riverside wind. We learned about the Piscataway people, whose roots in this land run thousands of years deep. Though it took over 40 years for the Piscataway Federation to be officially recognized by the state, they were always here—stewards of this land long before colonial times.

The Foundation reaches over 4,000 students a year, helping share both the colonial and Indigenous histories with truth, care, and respect. Today, we got to be part of that mission.

After lunch, we met Opal and Rosie, the friendliest cows we’ve ever seen, and four charming goats: Goofball, Snowball, Lucille Ball, and her equally sassy twin we still haven’t named. Then it was time to roll up our sleeves! We pulled invasive weeds, mulched pathways, and watered a native garden, doing our small part for this beautiful place.

Ambassador Patty led us in sound mapping, a peaceful practice of listening deeply to the world around us—birds, bugs, breezes, laughter. We ended the day with a delicious dinner of grilled chicken and veggies followed by a screening of Out There: A National Parks Story under the stars.

We left today with full hearts and new stories to tell. The stories of the Piscataway people. The resilience of a community. The promise of sharing what we’ve learned with our own students.

More learning and connection tomorrow. 🌱
#STEAMinthePARK2025 #StoriesThatMatter #Day10of90 #PotomacRiver #IndigenousVoices