On Friday, September 25, we kicked off our 2015-2016 Challenge Based Learning year. Our 2015-2016 Big Idea is ENGAGE. We have 10 groups engaging with our Clarksville Community. As we investigated our Challenges on Friday, we formed our Essential Questions, and created our Guiding Questions for the year. Many groups conducted classroom research and others did “on-site” research conducting interviews with Guiding Resources serving as experts in their different fields. Clarksville Academy students could be found engaging all over Clarksville. This provides us with the needed information surrounding the framework as we work our way toward our Solutions.
Off Campus Groups included:Beautification Group (Facilitated by Mr. Neizke) measured the site for the Clarksville Community Mural Project they are assisting with. Seen here sketching and noting measurements. They are consulting with the Clarksville Community Heritage Council, APSU, and Mr. Kevin Kennedy as resources.
Food Production Group (Facilitated by Mr. Boyd) visited the proposed site for a Community Garden, and discussed plans with Mr. Brad Martin of Lyle/Cook/Martin Architects.
Provisions and Shelter Group (facilitated by Mrs. Moore and Mrs. Little) visited Firehouse Day Shelter as they investigate ways to engage with the city of Clarksville.
Youth (facilitated by Coach Hood and Coach Bragg) visited the Clarksville/Montgomery County office of Child Protective Services, investigating ways to engage with YOUTH in the Clarksville Community.
Food Security (facilitated by Coach Burkhart and Coach Williams) volunteered at Manna Cafe assisting with Food Distribution Boxes and delivering to patrons, as they investigate how many people are affected by hunger in our Clarksville Community.
Health & Fitness Group (facilitated by Mrs. Hardison, Coach Bauer and Coach Watson) along with our Recreation group (facilitated by Coach Magrans) participated in a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony led by the Montgomery County Mayor’s office. The Health and Fitness group conducted surveys as they seek to add another site to our Liberty Park site (est. in 2014) Rotary Park and The Greenway (est 2015) and our proposed site for 2016.
The Recreation group investigated Trail Improvement consulting with a representative from FORP (Friends of Rotary Park).
Our Literacy Group (facilitators Kyle Christmas and Bridget Baron) Performing Arts group (facilitators Debbie Hollis and Amanda Pitt), and our Drug Awareness and Mental Health group (facilitator: Sarah Stonesifer) spent time in classroom research, reviewing the framework, dividing into teams and constructing team names and signing contracts, establishing essential questions, along with outlining plans for the next CBL day. Many planned Fall Festival Booths for fundraising. They contacted (emailing & phoning) off campus resources, and experts in the field, calendaring events for further investigations as all groups ENGAGE with our community.