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