Google Project Proposal

Names:
Brittany Bisese, Rachael Celia, Abby Diamond, and Ashley Lyon

Title of Project:
Step into Nature- Taking Learning Outdoors

Needs and Opportunities:

Currently one of the greatest questions amongst educators is how to
make learning more interactive and hands-on in order to improve academic
achievement. Research shows that extending learning outside the classroom
and into nature is a hands-on style of learning that improves academic
performance in language arts, math, science, and social studies, increases
childrens ability to focus, and also supports creativity and problem solving
(Natural Learning Initiative, 2012).. From our observations, it seems that the
nature trail was not being used to its full potential. Thus, in order to enhance
the effectiveness of Trace Crossings Elementary we propose that teachers
should be given quality resources that allow them to take learning outdoors.
To do this, our team has created an online resource log in order to transform
Traces nature trail into an interactive outdoor classroom that will increase
student achievement in grades 1-4.

Audience/Clients/Users:
The users of our website will be the teachers at Trace Crossings
Elementary School. We designed the site with their convenience in mind. It
can be difficult enough finding the time in a busy school day for science, and
teachers can easily become overwhelmed with trying to find quality,
standards-based, effective resources.. The created site is organized by
grade and within each grade, there is a tab for each content topic. This
convenient organization will allow teachers to access quality resources
quickly so that they can focus on incorporating outdoor learning and
improving student achievement.

Timeline
Feb. 6, 2015

Decided as a group that we were passionate about

nature being incorporated into the classroom. As a group

we recognized a need to revitalize the Nature Trail at
Trace. Therefore we developed a plan to best utilize the
nature trail in the best way possible.
Feb. 10, 2015

Met at Starbucks to discuss our thoughts, ideas, and

direction for the google project as a whole.

Feb. 11, 2015

Met briefly with Mrs. Stone about the trail and received a
contact for the Boy Scouts.

Feb. 13, 2015

Contacted Billy Curtis (head of Boy Scouts in the

Birmingham district). He seemed very positive and
receptive of our ideas for the nature trail and was very
willing to help. He gave us the contact information of the
man over scheduling with the Scouts. Our next step
would have been to find a date for us to work along side
the scouts to fix up the trail. I left a detailed voicemail
with the second contact.. However, I did not receive a
phone call back.

March 2, 2015

Within the next week our group was shocked to see that
the nature trail had been fixed up. The broken railing
and dangerous walking path was cleared up and
repaired. This was not our doing and we were unaware
that it was going to be fixed up. So it was back to the
drawing board for our group.

March 11,
2015

Found that teachers seem to not often utilize the nature

trail. Therefore, our group decided it would be valuable
to teachers and students alike to collaborate and create
a compilation of helpful resources for different grade
levels and standards that would encourage teachers to
take learning outdoors. With this online resource log,
teachers would be able to focus not on finding resources
but implementing the ideas found in the log to make
content standards come to life through interaction with
the nature trail.

April 12, 2015

Met with as a whole group to discuss the logistics and

individual responsibilities for the online website of
resources.

April 21, 2015

Decided to have all grades and standards completed by

the individual responsible for that area.. Every area
needs to have lessons, activities, and additional

resources for that standard posted to the online resource

log.
April 24, 2015

Each person will have their individual responsibilities of

the proposal written up and completed online.

April 26, 2015

Met to finalize our proposal and practice our

presentation as a group.

May 8, 2015

PRESENTATION

Product:
Our finished product is an online resource log, which is a compilation of
helpful, quality resources for specific standards that are connected to the
Nature Trail for grades 1-4. We chose standards from these grade levels
because they cover topics related to nature and can be addressed and
incorporated using the nature trail. There are multiple standards for each
grade aside from fourth grade. The fourth grade standard is very in-depth,
and teachers can use the resources to go very deep into the standard. There
are three different categories addressed for each standard which include,
lesson plans, activities, and additional resources. Within these sections there
are links to lesson plans, PowerPoints, videos, games, worksheets, crafts, and
engaging materials that can enhance and guide the teachers lessons. All of
the standards selected can be addressed and supported by using the nature
trail as a hands-on resource to connect students first-hand to the standard..

Reality Check:
The main equipment and resources that we needed for our project was
access to the internet, a weebly account, knowledge of where to find quality
resources, and a computer. Our original idea of fixing up the nature trail
would have required many resources and equipment like manual labor, wood
boards, nails, screws, etc. However, once the nature trail was fixed, we
decided instead to change our focus to create an online resource for the
teachers at Trace. Thus we used the resources above to create our online
resource log.
In order for teachers to use our project, they will need both access to a
computer and internet access. Teachers will also need to purchase or acquire
a limited amount of cost-effective basic materials (ex. plastic bottles,
computer paper, etc.) that are specific to each lesson or activity,

Conclusion:
In conclusion, we believe that this project will directly impact student
learning by providing the teachers at Trace Crossings Elementary School a
high- quality resource to utilize the nature trail at Trace Crossings and to take
learning outdoors. The website we created provides teachers with a plethora
of activities, lessons and resources to assist them in using the Nature Trail at
Trace Crossings Elementary School. The activities, lessons, and resources are
conveniently linked to College and Career Ready Science Standards. The
website can be used for students and teachers in 1st-4th grade. We feel that
this project will make a significant impact on student learning because
learning outside the classroom offers enormous opportunities that teachers
can not find in the confines of the classroom walls. It makes learning more
engaging, relevant, and real to students and provides a tangible way for
them to see and experience what they are learning about. This, in turn, will
get students more excited about learning and which directly impacts student
achievement. Research finds that extending learning outside the classroom
and into nature improves academic performance in language arts, math,
science, and social studies, increases childrens ability to focus, and also
supports creativity and problem solving (Natural Learning Initiative, 2012).
By providing the teachers at Trace Crossings with an online resource log, the
nature trail can now be used to its full potential. More importantly, student
achievement will be directly impacted through providing teachers with the
resources to take learning outdoors.

Works Cited:
Benefits of Connecting Children with Nature. (2012). Retrieved April 15, 2015, from
http://www.naturalearning.org/sites/default/files/Benefits of Connecting Children
with Nature_InfoSheet.pdf

Link to Online Resource log: http://tracecrossingsnaturetrail.weebly.com

Link to Presentation:
https://docs.google.com/a/samford.edu/presentation/d/1Ln4JSmbjpRfR0y7ETgrpb26lJXRkNGowklVPwo7spw/edit?usp=sharing

Reflection of Process:
Overall, I learned a lot from working on the Google 15% project. One of
the biggest things I learned is that sometimes projects turn out differently
then you plan. In the beginning, we were planning to fix up the nature trail at
Trace Crossings, but our project ended up changing slightly after the nature
trail already got fixed up without our knowledge. We decided to change
routes and instead create an online resource for teachers to use the nature
trail at Trace. The project took time, effort, and planning, but I learned a lot of
valuable lessons from the Google Project. Working with a group on this
project required us to collaborate and meet multiple times to brainstorm,
then plan, and then work on the project. I was thankful that I worked with a
group on the project, however, because it would have been much harder
trying to do it on my own. After we changed directions with the project, we

decided to make a resource that teachers who teach 1st-4th grade could use.
The project directly benefits all of the students at Trace Crossings, grades 1st4th, since it is a resource that teachers will use in their classroom.
In addition, since our project is an online resource, it could even be
used by other teachers in Alabama who have nature trails at their schools
because it has resources linked directly to the ALEX Standards. This project is
even something that I could use as a teacher, regardless of whether I teach
at Trace Crossings Elementary School or whether the school I teach at has a
nature trail. This is because the website includes helpful resources, activities,
lesson plans, etc, for teachers to take learning outdoors. The standards that
the resources are linked to are Alabama Standards, but they are very similar
to standards in other states. From this project, I learned about the
importance of taking learning outdoors and the benefits it has on student
learning. One thing that we could have included in this project if we had
more time and resources is to label the trees and plants on the nature trail
and create QR codes for students to scan with their iPads that are linked to
additional information about the trees and plants on the nature trail. One
thing that we also could have done was to add even more resources to our
website than we have now. We also could have had held a workshop for the
teachers at Trace Crossings showing our website and explaining how they
could use it in their classroom. But overall, I think that the project turned out
really well. In conclusion, I really enjoyed working on the Google project, and
throughout the process, I feel like I grew a lot as a teacher and professional.