August Reflection

Has your involvement in community-based research impacted your motivation to engage in community issues, research or service?

• This opportunity to become engaged in community-based research impacted how I view community. To briefly answer the question, I will be involved in this particular outdoor classroom and school for probably the next two years, so I will definitely stay motivated to stay engaged in service and community issues related to the project. I will continue gathering information and ideas for using the outdoor classroom. I hope to learn qualitative research skills. Beyond motivation, I gained a lot from this project. Through this project I got to see more of how a school works - I learned the best way to get the word out is in person or via phone calls. I learned that it is okay to ask just about anyone for help - if they want to say no they can, but frequently, people are interested when you are working on a new and crazy project. I saw how busy EVERYONE is! I came to admire the parents, teachers, students (from elementary to college), custodial staff, administration, and community professionals - they all were so helpful in ensuring progress in this project.
  
• I learned that one of the best ways to stay motivated is to have fun (UM...DUH, my future middle school students will be SO glad I learned this!:-)! We play games and riddles (silly sally), listen to eclectic music, and make mud castle/faces when we need breaks or things to do. On occasion, we show off dance moves and stunts we can do. We also eat excessive amounts of trail mix, granola bars, animal crackers, and raspberry fruit leather (sorry for all the dry and salty stuff!!!). I personally find it enthralling and fun to talk to people about their passions - contacting educators at Orange County Solid Waste Management and CH Stormwater Management, chatting for hours with master gardeners, parents, teachers, and students about the project (and dance, music, school, goals, extracurriculars) has been GREAT!

• What assistance will be most helpful to you in the fall semester in wrapping up your CBR project?

(sorry about the weird formatting, my computer is not being cool right now)

My CBR is not exactly wrapping up... Throughout the fall we will be planting and building things like picnic tables. I had hoped to get more done this summer, but the reality is that a courtyard full of invasive species that has not really been tended for 7ish years takes A LONG time to clear out. And planting in the summer would be basically plant homocide (or a HUGE waste of water). No excuses though, I took on a big project. I fully intend to stay involved in the project through a Geology independent study class and Teaching Fellows.
It would be fantastic if people wanted to volunteer time to help plant. I'd also like to host a ribbon cutting for the outdoor classroom, so I'll get assistance from the school to do that. Quite a few of the parent volunteers are on board with helping figure out long term maintenance through PTA. I will continue getting assitance from volunteers, teachers, master gardeners, designers, and the principal. My faculty advisors will continue to help with ideas and figuring out the rock garden extension of the project (part of my geol class).
I could use help brainstorming ideas for long term maintence and handing the project over to the school community completely when I can no longer be involved (probably by next fall).