1. Designing a Learning Landscape & Integrating Environmental Education into the Curriculum for the Ann Arbor Learning Community Sabrina Siebert sasie@umich.edu Katy Levine abramsk@umich.edu Suzanne Perry yarrow@umich.edu Sabrina Siebert sasie@umich.edu Katy Levine abramsk@umich.edu Suzanne Perry yarrow@umich.edu

2. Ann Arbor Learning Community FA public charter school open to all Michigan students in grades K - 8. FOffers: FProgressive, project-based education honoring multiple learning styles FMany opportunities for students to experience the arts and nature education as well as core curriculum FA public charter school open to all Michigan students in grades K - 8. FOffers: FProgressive, project-based education honoring multiple learning styles FMany opportunities for students to experience the arts and nature education as well as core curriculum

3. Environmental/Outdoor Education Program FPast activities have included: Fcleaning stream and parkland at Brown Park Fimplementing recycling programs Fexploring nature Fshort hikes (early elementary grades), Fextended field trips (later elementary grades) Fweek long excursions (middle school grades and beyond) FIncludes cooperative project work across age groups Fe.g., organic fruit and vegetable garden created and cared for by students, in conjunction with Project Grow! FCurrently, AALC is located in an area w/out space for outdoor recreation or education on campus. FMoving to new site by September 2005 FPast activities have included: Fcleaning stream and parkland at Brown Park Fimplementing recycling programs Fexploring nature Fshort hikes (early elementary grades), Fextended field trips (later elementary grades) Fweek long excursions (middle school grades and beyond) FIncludes cooperative project work across age groups Fe.g., organic fruit and vegetable garden created and cared for by students, in conjunction with Project Grow! FCurrently, AALC is located in an area w/out space for outdoor recreation or education on campus. FMoving to new site by September 2005

4. Master’s Project Objective FCreate an attractive, affordable landscape design for the new school site, including: FStudent-managed organic garden FNative plant & ecosystem-oriented landscape FStormwater management on-site FOpportunities for environmental education FIntegration with outdoor recreational areas FDevelop environmental education curriculuum FDetermine methods of using the landscape to integrate the concept of sustainability into the school curriculum. FCreate an attractive, affordable landscape design for the new school site, including: FStudent-managed organic garden FNative plant & ecosystem-oriented landscape FStormwater management on-site FOpportunities for environmental education FIntegration with outdoor recreational areas FDevelop environmental education curriculuum FDetermine methods of using the landscape to integrate the concept of sustainability into the school curriculum.

5. Major Research Questions FHow can the landscape and garden: Fbe integrated into the new school facility to maximize learning opportunities & enhance environmental education at AALC?? FHow can we encourage students: Fto have a sense of pride and ownership of their school grounds? Fto want to take care of the environment & live sustainably? FHow can the gardens and natural spaces: Faffect student and teacher satisfaction, connectedness, & general wellbeing? Finfluence behavior and interactions amongst students, teachers, and staff? Faffect students’ learning in other areas? Fbe designed to enhance their positive effects? FHow can the landscape and garden: Fbe integrated into the new school facility to maximize learning opportunities & enhance environmental education at AALC?? FHow can we encourage students: Fto have a sense of pride and ownership of their school grounds? Fto want to take care of the environment & live sustainably? FHow can the gardens and natural spaces: Faffect student and teacher satisfaction, connectedness, & general wellbeing? Finfluence behavior and interactions amongst students, teachers, and staff? Faffect students’ learning in other areas? Fbe designed to enhance their positive effects? EducationStewardship Environmental Psychology EducationStewardship

6. Informed Implementation FResearch case studies & best practices FPerform careful site analysis FEnhance ecosystem function, use by various kinds of wildlife, & connectivity to green matrix FFind additional funding/ donations, if possible. FObtain stakeholder support and engage community involvement FResearch case studies & best practices FPerform careful site analysis FEnhance ecosystem function, use by various kinds of wildlife, & connectivity to green matrix FFind additional funding/ donations, if possible. FObtain stakeholder support and engage community involvement

7. Products of the Research FLandscape design FEnvironmental Education Curriculum FPolicy recommendations FReport on student, parent, and faculty response to the project – define goal(s) FSet the stage for a comparison study in a couple of years (interview now) FFinancial Analysis FFunding support recommendations/guidelines? (public, charter school) FPublicity? (wouldn’t necessarily be an outcome, but a success indicator) FSuccess Parameters – how measure the success of the project? FReport/ Brochures to get others interested in using the site FLandscape design FEnvironmental Education Curriculum FPolicy recommendations FReport on student, parent, and faculty response to the project – define goal(s) FSet the stage for a comparison study in a couple of years (interview now) FFinancial Analysis FFunding support recommendations/guidelines? (public, charter school) FPublicity? (wouldn’t necessarily be an outcome, but a success indicator) FSuccess Parameters – how measure the success of the project? FReport/ Brochures to get others interested in using the site