The Education Committee had its first meeting at 10 AM at the Whispering Dove on
Saturday, October 2nd. Great discussion and breakfast had by all!
1. Approach - Since this was the first meeting, a
major topic was general considerations:
While the group emphatically believes there are some basic concepts (low-
impact, respect for the land and all others, etc -need to be articulated - ,
educational activities should not represent a single viewpoint, but rather should
emphasize and encourage a variety of interactions - so long as each activity
adheres to the basic concepts.
Where possible, educational activities should recognize past traditions, and
where appropriate, seek continuity with those traditions.
Educational activities themselves must be designed to be low-impact (So that,
for example, we don't end up scaring away the very animals we encourage others to
observe.)
Educational activities must be designed to take advantage of and recognize the
limitations of "Phase One" conditions.
Educational activities should be inclusive and open-ended.
2. How do we achieve an open-ended and inclusive education
design:
Have a forum(?) of professionals -representing what fields, who can we invite,
when, how should the discussion be recorded/documented
Seek cultural perspectives - who can we enlist to help us, what format
(individual meetings, a committee, forum), can we also develop a review process,
what other projects or activities would help us
Develop a student team - how do we put one together, can this be the same
student team as one working with the park design committee
Conduct "Ideas" Walking Tour to discover educational possibilities
Research other programs
Develop an expanding knowledge base - annotated bibliography, documentation
of projects, etc.
Coordinate with the design team, so that the creation of each park structure/
project provides for and/or includes an educational component.
3. Phase One Approach:
Provide for an interpretative trail for walking only and to be designed to be
accessible as possible.
Plan an information event - at community college - with speakers for volunteer
recruitment & outreach
Plan opening ceremony - draw from cultures
Design special theme weekends: "_____ Weekend in the Park" -activities with
support information on web site, in event program and in on-site temporary
exhibits. Work with the design committee to provide for low-impact areas to hold
these events (separate from interpretative trail). Initial event suggestions were:
(1) park at night - astronomy, night-walking, night creatures; (2) eco-psychology
exercises - Karen
Work with the design committee on possible area reserved for a Children's
Stewardship project - check with Turquoise Trail Elementary on charter school
grant for combined school/extra-curricula/weekend activity involving student,
teachers and parents.
Check with design team on weekday access for students
Develop off-site educational opportunities
4. Review of educational projects suggested so far- still
need to add additional ideas, prioritize, do needs assessment, and recruit project
leaders and volunteers.
"Hillstorian" interpretative guide program
Trail signage,brochure, staging area exhibit
"Park in Process" demonstrations & teaching activities
Coordination of youth organization activities
"Show & Tell" Powerpoint presentation
Theme weekends
Orientation & re-energizing sessions for volunteers
Oral History Project
Major museum exhibit (plan ahead for storefront/visitors' center
exhibits
Web site pages for kids, parents & teachers
Arts in the Park
Children's Stewardship project
Partner with Turquoise Trail organizations/destinations on history of
mining
Create database for bibliography & artifact collection
Beginning Class in Trail Etiquette: Basic Directional Hand
Signals
See the Design & Management committee
report for the latest on facilities and trails as of 3/13/00.
This website is maintained by the Cerrillos
Hills Park Coalition
and is dedicated to the creation, enhancement and stewardship
of an historical, recreational, and cultural open space in
the
Cerrillos Hills, Santa Fe County, New Mexico, USA
