Monday, April 26, 2010

Rain Barrel Assembly and Survey

It was interesting to see how the painting of the rain barrels turned out, since I could only provide the paint and could not be there for the actual process. I was so excited to be able to finally put them together and show the children the finished product of all of their creativity. It was a bit disappointing on the turnout of children we had this time, but we still had fun putting on the faucets and turning the screws to assemble the rain barrels.
During which time, some of us pulled individual children into the one-on-one survey time, in order to assess their thoughts of our project. I found it pretty amazing that each child I interviewed had a chance to explain their involvement in our project to either a family member or friend or both. I am also pleased to know that some of the children are considering future involvement in environmental clubs.

April 23

So this meeting, I think, made everyone a little nervous. We started by unloading my car with the pavers. they were quit large, so it took a couple of people to carry each one. On our way to the site for the rain barrels, students mentioned that we were from 'Imagination Envirostation", which again proves that there is awareness of what is going on at the school.

Not all of the students were showing up at first, so we started putting the rain barrels together. From here we took them to the site and finished their assembly. It was actually very easy. When all of the students were finally there, we took the surveys (8) and then explained the parts of the rain barrels and reviewed what their purpose was.

All in all, this was a farely easy visit. The main problem was just being able to find all of the kids.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Preparation for rain barrels

A professional craftsman, was recruited to cut and restructure the gutters, in preparation for the rain barrels. This process consisted of cutting the gutters with a hack-saw, dismantling the elbow(down- spout) , and then remounting the elbow to the gutter. This process was necessary for
placing the rain barrels under the gutters. In a prior session students located places where their rain barrels could be installed, that information was used in selecting the two areas where the barrels will be placed. Now, students will be able to place their rain barrels in the designated areas on our next session.

While assisting with the gutter preparation, two students asked if we were apart of 'Imagination Envirostation'. This suggest that students in the school are aware of our involvement and have noticed the modifications we have been making at their school.

Painting April 16th

On April 16, students were able to paint their rain barrels. Students used purple and white eco-friendly paint to decorate their barrels. Many students decided to write their names on the barrels as a clear indicator that they had been involved in this process. Afterwards, left over paint was donated to the school.

Reporters from the Daily Star and the Advocate were present to interview and photograph this experience. Reporters noted detailed information about the formation of this project including the implementation of projects, the benefits of this project and future goals for 'Imagination Envirostation. Students were able to share their environmental knowledge with reporters. Students spoke about the benefits of planting trees on their campus, the purpose of using natural fertilizer like pine straw, and the possibility of owning a environmental company. Students displayed a great deal of environmental knowledge, which suggest that they have been actively listening and retaining information discussed in prior sessions.

During this session, students were given handouts that outlined how to care for their trees. Students were instructed to distribute the flyer's to their peers.

Monday, April 19, 2010

"Painting and the Press"

Friday was one of our most productive visits yet! We had two reporters and one photographer present. They all asked very useful question to us, the students, Ms. Rousseau, and Ms. Beech. Our article in the Daily Star should be published either Tues or Wed (I will post when I find out). Some of the children seemed a little nervous speaking with a reporter; however, once we started our activity they spoke more openly and more confidently. Alex took a video of our activity and hopes to get it on the Daily Star's website along with our article. Some students who are usually more shy were eager to be in the "business" activity and participate. I noticed that while we were doing this activity, even the students who were painting stopped what they were doing to pay attention. At one point, I overheard a student (not in our group) what we were doing. One of our students then went on to explain to her classmate what rainbarrels are and why we are installing them.

I got a kick out of the things painted on the rainbarrels. This art is truly an expression of our students' selves. I noticed everything from their names, to flowers, to "I <3 Justin Beiber". Kids will be kids.

April 16

The Rain Barrels finally happened!!! Seems like those have been taking forever to get here. I do not think that there could have been a better Friday. For a while now it only seemed as if our friend was the only one who was learning anything. Friday proved us all wrong! The kids have been soaking up everything that we have been saying. They did an amazing job in the skit but also with the reporters. The group of extra kids that have been coming to see us is getting larger every Friday, and it is as if they are learning just as much. They definitely seem willing to help their fellow classmates in their project. AND THE TREES!!! The trees are doing so well. Of course there are a few that are looking like they will not make it. However, from standing by the picnic table, I counted 14 that are visibly doing well. So who knows, if I walked around to every one, the results might have been very surprising. Our friend says there are 25 trees all together. 14 out of 25, that's pretty good I think. Oh, by the way, one of the cypress tree's top was broken off, so I splinted it back together with our friend. I will check next week to see if there is any improvement.

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Hammond Daily Star

This week I spoke with Alexandra Hedrick, an undergraduate journalism major at Southeastern, who has had several articles published in the Daily Star. I told her about our project, showed her our blog, and told her we were interested in having a story written in a local paper. She ran it by her editor and got the go-ahead to do a story on Imagination Envirostation!

She will be accompanying us to our next school visit on April 16 to interview participants. Principal Rousseaux has been notified and she is going to make sure all of our students have photo releases (this means we shouldn't have to distribute permission forms to students, but we may want to give them forms to take home anyway).

We are going to be famous!

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