memphis design challenge final report compressed report: 2015 come alive outside design challenge at...
TRANSCRIPT
Final Report: 2015 Come Alive Outside Design Challenge at Memphis Catholic Middle and High School with participation from: Auburn University Hinds Community College Louisiana State University Mississippi State University
In partnership with:
With support from:
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“What I liked best about participating in the Design Challenge was that in just a few minutes of the first day everyone felt like we knew each other for a long time… New ideas were always welcomed and applauded, which made people feel proud about what they had brought out to the table.”
-Memphis Catholic High School Student
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About the Program:
The Come Alive Outside Design Challenge creates the opportunity for teams of post-secondary and secondary students to work together with landscape professionals to design and build engaging outdoor learning environments at schools and childcare facilities.
In the fall of 2015, twenty-five Landscape Architecture and Horticulture students from Auburn University, Hinds Community College, Louisiana State University and Mississippi State University travelled to Memphis Catholic Middle and High School to participate in a design charrette with fifteen students and five teachers from the high school, as well as Memphis-area landscape professionals.
Over the course of three days, teams worked together to create initial concepts for designs for a new outdoor learning environment at Memphis Catholic, in line with the following criteria:
1. The design encourages interaction with the space using all five senses.
2. The design integrates the creative input of the students and teachers who will use it.
3. The design creates a Certified Wildlife Habitat. 4. The design effectively manages and utilizes rainwater. 5. The initial phase of the design can be built on budget of
$10,000.
These initial concepts were presented back to the school and broader community for further input and feedback. The college students then returned home to create final design proposals for the space at Memphis Catholic. The colleges submitted these proposals to be voted upon by the school community and judged by a panel of professionals.
In partnership with The Kitchen Community and Michael Hatcher & Associates, the first phase of construction will take place in December 2015. Construction of the second phase will take place in the summer of 2016.
About the Data:
The data contained within this report is taken from post-program evaluation surveys. The numbers of respondents are as follows:
Memphis Catholic Students: 11 respondents representing Grades 8-12 Memphis Catholic Teachers: 4 respondents College Students: 17 respondents representing all 4 institutions
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Fostering Collaboration:
SURVEY:
“The Design Challenge helped me understand how to collaborate and work in a group.”
82% of Memphis Catholic Students “Strongly Agree”
85% of College Students “Strongly Agree”
“Our students were highly engaged in the collaborative design process.”
100% of Memphis Catholic Teachers “Agree” or “Strongly Agree”
“I loved seeing how engaged and concerned the students were in designing this space. You don’t find that kind of enthusiasm in very many high school students these days!”
-Auburn University Student
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“Regardless of backgrounds and experience, students of all ages can identify a common goal and work towards achieving what once seemed impossible.”
-Auburn University Student
“I love the people who did not think that ideas were childish, but they believed in me and made my ideas better.”
-Memphis Catholic Student
“I really liked that we got to work with older students. It taught me that even though we are apart in age, our goals for the Memphis Catholic garden were very much alike.”
-Memphis Catholic Student
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Final Design Proposals
Mississippi State University Design Team:
Cory Gallo (Faculty Advisor) Opeyemi Bakare Michael Keating Yazan Mahadin Ying Qin Justin Gandy Liz Robinson Abbey Wallace
Hinds Community College Design Team:
Martha Hill (Faculty Advisor) Darylle Buckley Amanda Bynum Dylan Dabbs Marcus Franklin Christy Gilmer Sue Walker Ambria Brown
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“What will the gardens teach when the teachers are not there?” -Memphis Catholic High School Teacher
Louisiana State University Design Team:
Kathleen Bogaski (Faculty Advisor)
Max Guzzetta Allan Cheng
Garret Jenkins Donguk Lee
Auburn University Design Team:
Joe Eakes and Brian Brown (Faculty Advisors)
Ryan Bowen Britton Garrett
Jennifer Derrow Mary Mathis
Adam Millhouse Micah Toles
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Designing with Nature:
SURVEY: “Because of this program, I have a greater appreciation of how my area of study is directly connected to creating access to nature in urban areas.”
76% of College Students “Strongly Agree”
24% of College Students “Agree”
“Because of my participation in this program, I have a greater understanding of how to design wildlife habitat within urban environments.”
94% of College Students “Agree” or “Strongly Agree”
“Because of my participation in this program, I have a greater interest in designing edible landscapes within urban environments.”
94% of College Students “Agree” or “Strongly Agree”
“Because of this program, I have a greater appreciation for the value of spending time in nature.”
91% of Memphis Catholic Students “Agree” or “Strongly Agree”
SURVEY:
“This program was a great way for our students to connect with career opportunities in the landscape profession.”
100% of Memphis Catholic Teachers “Agree” or “Strongly Agree”
“I have a better understanding of how to design natural outdoor spaces in cities.”
91% of Memphis Catholic Students “Agree” or “Strongly Agree”
SURVEY:
“Overall, a fantastic experience. The entire session was a perfect example of STEM-based education.”
-Memphis Catholic High School Science Teacher
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Connecting with a Deeper Purpose:
SURVEY:
“I will talk to my friends about the importance of the outdoor learning environment being built at our school.”
45% of Memphis Catholic Students “Strongly Agree”
45% of Memphis Catholic Students “Agree”
SURVEY:
“This program has given me a greater sense of purpose as I think towards the work that I will pursue in my professional career.”
71% of College Students “Strongly Agree”
29% of College Students “Agree”
“I will talk to my friends about this program and my experience in Memphis.”
88% of College Students “Strongly Agree”
12% of College Students “Agree”
“It was one of the most meaningful experiences of my student and professional career. The reason I went back to school is the exact same reason Come Alive Outside and The Kitchen Community exist. My personal and professional goals are to educate the public and private organizations about the benefits of self-sustainability and the benefits of nature. Standing in the meeting room the first day validated my life choices.”
-Hinds Community College Student
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Come Alive Outside is a 501c3 nonprofit, based in North Carolina. Our mission is to inspire collaborative community systems that create the awareness, intention and opportunity for people to live healthier lives outside. The Design Challenge program has been produced in 13 different communities across the United States and Ontario. Our programming is produced in pursuit of our vision of healthy individuals, families and communities enjoying the full benefits of great outdoor spaces where they live, work and play. For more information, please visit:
www.comealiveoutside.com