By: Dr. Andrew Yox, Honors Director
Just before Honors Biology 9 September, students were able to test their skills with a compound prehistoric spear known as an atlatl. Biology Professor Jim Ward, who owned the set and initiated the activity, presided. The idea of the atlatl coincided with the other course in the team-taught honors seminar, Texas history, where the group was studying the use of the atlatl during the archaic period of the regional past, around 5,000 BC. Leveraging the shaft with a launching stick, modern throwers can propel spears beyond 100 yards. However, such distances require a system of delivery similar to systems in biology, where all elements must function to make the whole possible.
Daisy Quinones of Mount Pleasant won the competitive challenge of the encounter. Maiko Estrada, Evan Sears, and above all, Professor Ward wowed the group with the furthest throws, perfecting elements of the needed throwing system.
