In the late spring of 2012,
Mr. Wolverton’s AP Biology class designed and tackled service learning projects
in order to make a difference on campus.
They were asked to identify a need or problem on the campus related to
science and come up with solutions. The
students discussed their projects with other classmates, generating ideas and
receiving constructive feedback. Below
is a summary of their projects. You can
see these projects around our campus taking shape in June and feel free to ask
students about their projects when you see them.
Kristen, Taylor and Ashley
·
Problem/need: Ugly benches and garden area outside the 700
building
 |
| "Before" |
·
Solution: Replace and paint benches and clean up the
area.
 |
| Kristen with the belt sander |
 |
| Kristen and Taylor moving the boards to the classroom |
 |
| Adding a coat of primer |
 |
| Kristen helping out |
 |
| Landscaping near the 700 building |
 |
| Behind the wall |
 |
| Final clean up and re-installation |
 |
| Extra help from Tyler and Brendon |
 |
| Finishing touches with help from Blake |
Jason, Brandy and Becky
·
Problem/need: Improving the classroom environment
 |
| "Before" |
·
Solution: Re-painting Ms. Zika’s classroom
 |
| All hands on |
 |
| Testing the paint color |
 |
| Jason with the roller |
 |
| Becky examines the roller brush |
 |
| Jason touches up the ceiling tiles |
 |
| Almost done |
Greg and Todd
·
Problem/need: Lack of shade trees in the new sports fields
 |
| Greg and Todd scouting out the location on the western edge of the sports fields |
·
Solution: Planting Douglas Firs and Poplars
Stephanie and Trenton
·
Problem/need: Bird droppings on our sidewalks and campus
 |
| Stephanie and Trent install the homemade robin bird box |
·
Solution: Build birdhouses to attract birds to natural
areas on campus
 |
| Birdhouse installed! |
Lana and Jamie
·
Problem/need: Lack of energy audit data for Prairie High
School
 |
| Lana and Jamie look for energy savings |
·
Solution: Perform an energy audit on campus
 |
| Inventory of the energy efficiencies (or lack thereof) |
Taylor and Anna (assisted by Jamie and Lana)
·
Problem/need: Helping Special Education students learn life
skills
 |
| "Before" |
·
Solution: Building a raised garden bed outside the 700
building
 |
| The site is marked |
 |
| Anna examines the planter walls with help from Jamie and Lana |
 |
| Getting ready to shovel in the soil |
 |
| Finished project |
Keenan, Blake and Kathryn
·
Problem/need: Water quality on the campus
 |
| Testing the water quality in the 600 building |
·
Solution: Talk with the school board about their
findings and proposals
 |
| Setting up a blind taste test between the 400 building and the commons water fountains |
 |
| Blind taste tests |
Brendon and Tyler
·
Problem/need: Overgrown weeds on the south side of the 600
building
 |
| "Before" |
·
Solution: Roto-till the area and plant rhododendrons
 |
| Tyler and Brendon survey the site with help from Greg |
 |
| Pulling weeds by hand |
 |
| Taking a break from the tilling |
Elaina, Nicole and Kathryn
·
Problem/need: Unattractive areas in the front of the main
office
 |
| Getting project permission from Mr. Perrins |
·
Solution: Re-stain wood edging, install bench, and
re-mulch area
 |
| Staining the wood trim after removing all the garbage |
 |
| Staining |
 |
| Elaina tidies up the area |
 |
| Kathryn digs out holes for the concrete bench legs |
 |
| Kathryn and Elaina celebrate their success |
 |
| Complete makeover, with stepping stones |
