The Ponca code of ethics serves as a foundational framework for guiding moral and social conduct within the community. First recorded in English by Ponca Historian Pete LeClair in 1928—predating the written form of the Ponca language—these principles are deeply embedded in the cultural and spiritual fabric of the Ponca people. Each principle is not merely a standalone rule but contains subcategories, intricately woven through the knowledge of the Ponca language, that add layers of meaning and nuance. These ethical guidelines serve as a collective moral compass, emphasizing virtues such as unity, respect, kindness, and spiritual reverence. Whether it's respecting the sanctity of the peace pipe or the call to be kind and generous, each code is imbued with a sense of sacred duty and communal responsibility. Together, they form a holistic ethos that shapes the character of the community, fostering a culture of mutual respect, compassion, and harmonious coexistence.
01. Module One: Have only one God.
This module focuses on spatial reasoning skills through visualization. Students will learn about architectural visualization, basics of sketching and architectural drafting. Students will focus on ideation through 3D visualization.
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02. Module Two: Do not kill one another.
Content creation through 3D modeling is introduced in this module. A basic 3D modeling software is introduced to the students and they will work on solving a real world design problem while using Virtual Reality as a design tool.
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03. Module Three: Do not steal from one another.
Students learn about Spiro Mounds and develop a virtual museum to exhibit the bead work that they created. Students use 3D scanning equipment to scan the artifacts and then display them inside of the mounds. Then they use Virtual Reality to navigate and experience the Spiro Mounds Virtual Museum.
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04. Module Four: Be kind to one another.
Students will work on translating a virtual artifact into a tangible product using 3D printing. The students will be presented with a problem to solve through a team-based exercise. In this exercise students model a light fixture for the dorm room they made in Module 02 and 3D print it. Students also learn about electricity and how electricity works.
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05. Module Five: Do not talk about each other.
Students will be presented with a problem of 3D modeling an object that they use in everyday life (a table). The solutions will be developed through 3D modeling and will be presented through Augmented Reality.
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06. Module Six: Do not be stingy or greedy.
Students will be introduced to the concept of Human Centered Design through Empathic Design. Students will have the opportunity to use an aging simulation suit (G.E.R.T Suit) to help develop solutions through the empathic design process. The empathic design process has been known to spark innovation. Then the students will redesign a kitchen where an older adult would easily be able to navigate and use.
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07. Module Seven: Respect the peace pipe.
This team based event will look at a problem in the Tribal Nation and seek to provide a solution through the technologies introduced in the preceding modules. For this activity the students will modify the location of their afterschool program. They will select an area of the building and change it according to what they think will be useful. The tribal elders will participate in this process and will advice the students.
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