Here are the offerings for Fall, 2016:

 

Launching an Artist in Residence (AIR)

at Minuteman National Park

2016 marks the Centennial Celebration of the National Park services. There are 58 National Parks across the United States, and we are fortunate to be learning and living within one of the most historically rich, visually pastoral, and environmentally complex parks – Minuteman National Park. To commemorate 100 years of preserving nationally significant places, local artist and educator Renee Covalucci has begun to investigate having  an “Artist in Residence” program here at Minuteman National Park. Students participating in this Stewardship Project will learn about various residency programs that already exist within national parks across the country. They will conduct “field research” by exploring and making art and writing amidst Minuteman National Park, which spreads across Concord, Lincoln, and Lexington. And with their knowledge and experience, they will develop and propose the benefits of having such a program to a committee of people in position to move this work forward.

https://www.nps.gov/mima/index.htm

http://www.friendsofminuteman.org

Invasive Removal in Punkatasset

The spread of invasive species is one of the greatest threats to wildlife habitat across the globe. Locally, invasive plants have made inroads into our conservation areas, disrupting natural systems. Fortunately, many of these plants can be effectively removed by committed teams. Students involved with this project will remove Glossy Buckthorn from Punkatasset Woods, one of Concord’s most beloved places. We will work hard, get dirty, learn a lot about local ecosystems, and make a big difference to the people (and wildlife) of Concord.
 

Greening The High School

CCHS was just recognized as the greenest school building in the State of Massachusetts.  Now our challenge is to become the greenest student body and faculty.   The school needs help!  This project will brainstorm the recycling and composting system and other potential projects that need to be explained, promoted and implemented.  This project will research information for the student body to use to make more sustainable choices.  The school’s screens are ready for green themes.

Concord Museum “Family Trail” Stewardship

Working with the Concord Museum Education Department, students will create an outdoor family trail guide for the 200th anniversary of Henry Thoreau’s birth.  In this stewardship, students will learn how to best engage families through creative activities and experiential learning and then apply this knowledge to the family guide.  Using the Museum’s current Thoreau Trail (aimed at adults) as a starting point, students will work together to identify local Thoreau sites (mostly outdoors) for families to visit and then create fun and engaging activities for kids and adults to do together. Topics of interest will include Henry Thoreau, environmental education, family learning, outdoor play, and museum education.  Students will visit the Concord Museum, meet with staff, view museum collections and then visit and assess related Thoreau sites to develop a range of fun and educational activities. The Museum is looking for creative students excited to make Concord’s rich history accessible for families as we prepare for the celebration of Thoreau’s 200th birthday.

 

Pathways at CCHS

Students will work with teachers, tutors, and students in the Pathways Program at CCHS to design and implement new content for the Life Skills curriculum. This curriculum will help Pathways students develop critical skills for life – cooking, self-care, engaging in recreational activities, etc.. Rivers students will work with teachers in the Pathways program to develop full-day excursions that are responsive to this curriculum. During each session, students will have a chance to work collaboratively – this will provide an opportunity to develop relationships as Rivers students help to mentor Pathways students in the field. The purpose of the Pathways program is to provide services to a group of students with a focus on social, prevocational skill training, specialized tutorial support and close individualized program coordination. For more information on the program, please visit: http://www.concordspedpac.org/Pathways-Curriculum.html

 

Thoreau Elementary School: 4th and 5th Grade Bridge Building

Students will work with Jillian Deshaies’ fifth grade class and Amelia Burns’ fourth grade class at the Thoreau School to develop and implement interdisciplinary and experiential lessons based around engineering and bridge building.  The project will incorporate math, science, engineering, art, and even history as students work towards designing and building bridges out of toothpicks.  Students will guide fourth and fifth graders through the engineering design process, including asking questions, imagining possibilities, making a plan, creating their design, and improving their work. Through observation and practice,  students will learn more about teaching and learning at the elementary school level.  In addition to providing an opportunity to share the Rivers and Revolutions experience with younger students, this stewardship placement offers opportunities for creativity, building, design, and research.