Middle School Enrichment Camp
On April 4th our Futures AHEAD
Enrichment Camp was held at Longwood
Gardens in Kennett Square, PA. Through partnerships with Longwood
Gardens and Rockwell Development
Group, students throughout four school districts grouped together and spent
a full day at the gardens to explore and conceptualize concepts of bio-mimicry
through unique, hands-on learning activities. This day included our 7th and
8th grade population as 88 students teamed up in groups with a
professional educator from Longwood to discuss how nature helps us with our everyday
living. From our last Enrichment Camp in the fall at Rockwell Development,
students had the opportunity to experience what goes into building a home.
Taking the blueprints that were established, students applied the idea of
bio-mimicry to solve problems within their designs.
Students arrived to the site around 9:15am as they filled the ballroom. On each table had a few plants that were inspired or had some representation to interior and exterior home designs. The key challenges that were presented for the day was water, energy and security. Students went on a tour through the conservatory as they learned about water plants, energy plants and security plants. 12 groups were separated into groups of 4 for the three topics as they tried to convey the best solutions to the challenges of their home design.
Students brainstormed solutions based on plants that they have seen on the tour and created a prototype before lunch. After lunch, students watched a 15 minute virtual tour that discussed professional gardening (Horticulture) and interning opportunities. The day also included some students who are taking part of the internship as they discussed to the middle school student the benefits of working in this field. After the virtual field trip, students finalized their ideas as they constructed a presentation through tri-fold. Guest as well as educators from Longwood Gardens and volunteers walked around student’s presentations and asking have why they place some of the plant-based materials presented in their homes. The day was filled with creative onsets, challenging as well as engaging the minds of the middle schooler throughout the four school districts.
By Joseph Daye, AmeriCorps VISTA
Students arrived to the site around 9:15am as they filled the ballroom. On each table had a few plants that were inspired or had some representation to interior and exterior home designs. The key challenges that were presented for the day was water, energy and security. Students went on a tour through the conservatory as they learned about water plants, energy plants and security plants. 12 groups were separated into groups of 4 for the three topics as they tried to convey the best solutions to the challenges of their home design.
Students brainstormed solutions based on plants that they have seen on the tour and created a prototype before lunch. After lunch, students watched a 15 minute virtual tour that discussed professional gardening (Horticulture) and interning opportunities. The day also included some students who are taking part of the internship as they discussed to the middle school student the benefits of working in this field. After the virtual field trip, students finalized their ideas as they constructed a presentation through tri-fold. Guest as well as educators from Longwood Gardens and volunteers walked around student’s presentations and asking have why they place some of the plant-based materials presented in their homes. The day was filled with creative onsets, challenging as well as engaging the minds of the middle schooler throughout the four school districts.
By Joseph Daye, AmeriCorps VISTA
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