BOCES Nature Trail

Grade Level: 9-12

Academic Areas: Math, Science, and Technology

(Incorporating several BOCES programs: New Visions Eng; CAD Drafting; Conservation; Horticulture; Carpentry; Trade Elec; Graphic Arts; PhysEd)

 

Duration of service: Year-long

Character Virtues: Respect, Caring, Responsibility

Technology: GIS, GPS

Service Areas: Education/Tutoring, Environmental, Human Services, Public Safety

 

Service Learning Project:

BOCES students from several career training areas will embark on a year-long project incorporating the use of ArcView GIS 3.3 and GPS technology into their curriculum area.  Students will be introduced to Service Learning and Character Education principles and practices as well as examples of public nature trails.  New Visions Engineering will begin the process by collecting location and description data for design of a nature trail through the BOCES campus grounds.  Students will produce maps and graphics to present to the BOCES Board of Education.  The approved design will be incorporated into the curriculum of all the participating programs.  Each program will take responsibility to develop their involvement, such as excavation of the trails by the conservation class, landscaping by the horticulture program, and benches constructed by the carpentry class.  Students will learn how to use the GIS and GPS technology in their specialized course areas.  They will receive self-satisfaction and pride from working together and completing a useful community project while appreciating each other’s skills and strengths.

 

Goals and Objectives

Academic

Learning Goal: Students will determine the length, width, and route of the path they will design from data collected and used with GPS and GIS.

Standard: Math, Science and Technology

  1. Analysis, Inquiry, and Design -- Students will use mathematical analysis, scientific inquiry, and engineering design, as appropriate, to pose questions, seek answers, and develop solutions.
  2.  Information Systems -- Students will access, generate, process, and transfer information using appropriate technologies.

      5.  Technology -- Students will apply technological knowledge and skills to design,              construct, use, and evaluate products and systems to satisfy human and environmental needs.

 

Learning Goal:  The students will learn what processes are involved in developing a nature trail, including agency approvals, engineered sketches and drawings, collaboration with all participating programs, etc.

Standard: Math, Science and Technology

  1. Analysis, Inquiry, and Design -- Students will use mathematical analysis, scientific inquiry, and engineering design, as appropriate, to pose questions, seek answers, and develop solutions.

 

Service

Community need: Lack of nature trails for educational purposes for BOCES and in the community as a whole.

Possible Community Partners:  Public Works Department, parents and community members

 

Objective: Using ArcView 3.3, students will design and produce maps of the BOCES grounds trail.  These maps will be available at the trailhead.

 

Objective: Students will cooperate with other programs/classes, agencies and the community to build a nature trail.

 

Technology

Learning Goal: Students will understand how to use a GPS receiver to record x,y coordinate locations.

Objective: Students will record point locations with a GPS receiver.

 

Learning Goal: Students will understand how to create a basic map with ArcView GIS (open view, add themes, create layout with title, arrow, scale and legend).

Objective: Students will create a map with ArcView 3.3 GIS.

 

Character

Virtue: Giving, Caring

Objective: Students will understand the value of creating something that will bring enjoyment, education and usefulness to other students, teachers and community members in years to come.

 

Virtue: Responsibility, Respect

Objective: Students will learn that they can have an impact on their community when they take responsibility for projects to improve it.

 

Key Activities

Key Planning Activities

  1. Students will be introduced to GIS technology and will be trained in its use.
  2. Students from various BOCES programs will meet to outline the goals of the project and possible locations for the trail.

 

Key Service Activities

  1. Students will use GIS technology to map out the location of the new trail.
  2. Students will physically build and landscape the trail.
  3. Students will create park benches and amenities for the trail.
  4. Students will use GIS technology to create a hard copy map of the trail to be posted at the trailhead.

Key Reflection Activities

1.      Students from various programs will evaluate their cooperation with other programs using a self report card. (written, responsibility and respect)

2.      Students will discuss what they have learned about GIS technology and its usefulness in different subject areas.  (oral, responsibility)

3.      Students will spend time on the trail after its completion and create a product suitable to their program that demonstrates their feelings about the project. (performance/written/oral, giving and caring)

Celebration Activity

Students will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the opening of the trail.  Parents and community members will be invited to the ribbon-cutting ceremony.