Winter 2022 Update
Each season, TOPOnexus will share an update about the goings-on at the Center for Learn Local. Below are highlights of the adventures, workshops, and trainings that we’ve had the pleasure of designing and delivering during 2021. What FUN we’ve had guiding learners of all ages in so many places!
We hope you enjoy this peek into the transformative power of real-world learning! If you’re interested in receiving future updates from “TOPO Land”, just scroll down to the bottom of this page and sign up for our seasonal newsletter. ↓
From the Field
Here are some highlights from our adventures, workshops and trainings in 2021:
Over 1,135+ learners experienced the TOPO way of learning
TOPO learners ranged in age from 3 to 70+ years
Our collaborators included public schools, libraries, local businesses, nonprofits and municipal government
We connected learners to their place both via Zoom and in-person
TOPO learners were located in AK, WY, TX, LA, SC, MA, DC, MD, NH, and of course, MI
PreK Experiences
STORY ADVENTURES
In collaboration with Petoskey Public Library
Talk, read, wiggle and sing! PreK kiddos and caregivers ventured into downtown Petoskey from the library to discover more about rocks, trees and water. This way of exploring the local community was an innovative to couple traditional literacy with local literacy in the real world.
“We enjoyed the self-guided pace. We LOVED the bucket for collecting treasures along the way!” –Parent
Wide Reach: 158 learners (90 kids; 68 adults)
TOPO EXPLORERS
In collaboration with City of Harbor Springs Parks & Recreation
Finding special spots, building animal homes and observing with magnifying glasses helped PreK kiddos and caregivers explore public parks. Slowing down to use a sense of wonder instead of following scripted activities gave families new ideas for adventuring on their own.
“TOPO Explorers is an easy and fun way for kids to explore, interact and engage with their community.” –Grandmother
Wide Reach: 33 learners (18 kids; 15 adults)
Youth Experiences
BACKYARD ADVENTURES
In collaboration with Harbor Springs Public Schools
Grade 2–Finding North, observing something hidden, and sitting for a silent solo were part of the learning routine that second graders used during five different adventures. They earned a badge for demonstrating discovery skills at the beach, municipal docks, city parks and artesian wells.
“Our Backyard Adventure routine creates organized freedom so students can explore on their own.” –Second grade teacher
Deep Reach: (41 students, 3 teachers, 2 support crew, 8 community connectors)
Grades 5, 6, 7, 8
Making mock speeches as Mayor, inventing a year-round business, and writing haikus about the harbor were ways middle school students integrated classroom curriculum with choice and voice into their Backyard Adventure. Reported highlights were navigating downtown in small teams and reflecting to find their Whoa!
“This is the kind of learning that we want to be doing. It’s such a great fit with our Social Studies standards; I definitely want to continue this partnership.” –Middle School Principal
Wide Reach: 496 (411 students, 30 teachers, 33 support crew, 22 community connectors)
PADDLING TO THE PAST WORKSHOPS
In collaboration with Harbor Springs Public Schools and Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians
History came alive for high school US History students who paddled in the harbor to experience a tiny part of the route to Washington, DC taken by Odawa delegates in 1835. Students reflected during a silent solo on the shoreline about the risks taken to negotiate a treaty – What was at stake? What were the challenges? What does “home” mean?
“These learning experiences reach our most vulnerable populations - our at risk, our unmotivated, our most challenging students. This is a way to engage them! We are providing knowledge in a different way that they can grasp.” –High school history teacher
Wide Reach: 76 learners (66 students; 4 teachers; 4 support crew; 2 community connectors)
ARCGIS TOPO MAPPING WORKSHOP
In collaboration with Geospatial Technologies Talent Consortium (GTTC) and NorthEd Career Tech
Our Vacation Hotspots, Map of Mischief, and Tasty Traverse were among the paper maps co-created by AgriScience students as foundational learning in the ArcGIS module. This TOPO Mapping exercise inspired students to look at their hometown through a different lens and inventory its resources. Students identified the many ways mapping skills are essential to the AgriSci industry.
“I plan on having students map the chicken project next time around! Brian LOVED that idea and I think it will really help students connect the dots between what we do and why it matters in the grand scheme of things.” –AgriSci Instructor
Wide Reach: 31 learners (30 students, 1 teacher)
ARCGIS STUDENT INTERNSHIPS
In collaboration with Geospatial Technologies Talent Consortium (GTTC)
Finding every artesian well in Harbor Springs and exploring twenty-two city parks was only the beginning of a 40-hour internship with TOPOnexus for two Elk Rapids High School seniors. Both students spent a week collecting field data, gathering additional resources and interviewing community members. A highlight was stepping into a dynamic work environment where every day is different. Polishing an elevator pitch was just one of many life skills practiced.
“I realized that no one's giving me a worksheet right now! What am I supposed to do? For this internship, I had to set my own deadlines. I learned a lot about time management, being my boss and figuring out what I need to do to get my work done.” –High School Intern
“TOPOnexus brought me closer to my surroundings and the world I live in. I learned a lot about how I learn and how we can easily connect with the world around us.” –High School Intern
Deep Reach: 12 learners (2 students; 10 community connectors)
Adult Experiences
B.E.S.T. ROAD TRIP
In collaboration with the National Park Service–Western Center for Historic Preservation
To level up the delivery of their gold-star preservation workshops, NPS instructors specializing in historic preservation from across the nation went on an 8-month, 80-hour virtual road trip. Via Zoom, learners took a deep dive into experiential learning theory and then collaborated to create a “next level toolbox” including a compass (aka new learning philosophy), map (aka new learner-first strategies), and field guide (new techniques and tips to increase engagement).
“The idea that a student's voice is as important as the content we seek to deliver is a whoa moment for me.” –NPS Trainer
“I promise you these are not webinars and you will not be looking at PowerPoints for two hours. Our meetup Zoom calls are interactive and, dare I say it, fun. Seriously. Trust us. I assure you they are the best virtual learning you will have done in the past two years.” –NPS Project Manager
“I never thought of it like this before. But it really resonates – fostering relationships in our workshops should be seen as critical, rather than an ancillary outcome.” –NPS Trainer
Deep Reach: 14 learners
PROFESSIONAL LEARNING WORKSHOP
In collaboration with Harbor Springs Public Schools
To get inspired for the upcoming school year, K-12 teachers leveled up their local literacy in small teams by exploring downtown Harbor Springs. Teams then brainstormed ways to connect their classroom content to the local community. With solo reflection time, everybody identified their “1 Thing” – a specific action they would try in the fall semester to make learning come alive for their students.
“Toponexus provided a meaningful, relevant, and engaging professional learning session for our staff to start the year. The focus on learning in our community, teamwork, and critical thinking was evident throughout the morning's session.” –Superintendent
“What a great way to start the school year! Connecting with colleagues and the community lays a great foundation for further exploration and growth together. What a great physical reminder that our school system is so connected to the community.” –Preschool Teacher
Wide Reach: 75 learners (62 teachers; 4 administrators; 9 community connectors)
TOPO CONNECT WORKSHOP
With a map, compass, and field guide in hand, teams of retirees from all over the country headed out and about downtown Harbor Springs to take a closer look at the place they had been visiting for over fifteen years. Gathering together and guided by TOPO staff, these folks reflected to find their Whoas and mapped their discoveries on a take-home map.
“Slowing down and being guided helped us see this town in a whole new way.” –Participant
Wide Reach: 11 learners
ARCGIS PROFESSIONAL LEARNING WORKSHOP
In collaboration with Geospatial Technologies Talent Consortium (GTTC)
Going on a “neighborhood tour” to find a significant landmark, a hidden something and a special spot and then creating a sketch map was a powerful way for teachers to connect to the place right outside their door. By doing this exercise, teachers learned firsthand how to deliver it to their own students. Teachers gained an understanding of how the TOPO Mapping unit is foundational to the ArcGIS Storymapping curriculum.
“Absolutely changed the way I see the Kids Creek restoration project in Traverse City. In a nutshell, I am observing and listening to the trees. Awesome!” –High School Teacher
“I applaud the way you engage people in developing curiosity towards map-making, map reading, and understanding cartography. Once ignited, a sense of curiosity lends itself to finding an answer to the "why" questions. Why maps, why symbols, why scale....? This is one of many takeaways.” –College Professor
Wide Reach: 24 learners (20 professional students; 4 instructors)
All Age Experiences
TOPO ADVENTURES
Families and friends headed out and about on these self-paced excursions to do seek-n-finds, spinerettes and silent solos while learning local lore about about the Little Traverse Bay area. With TOPO Adventures, people of all ages have the chance to slow down, take a closer look and get a new view using our Adventure Pack, including a localized map, compass, discovery tools and expertly curated field guide
“This [TOPO] Adventure gave us the chance to explore the town with three generations and share stories about our experiences.” –Dad
“It made me feel excited because it was one thing leading up to another. It was like finding treasure!” –3rd grader
Wide Reach: Over 50 multi-generational family and friend groups with multiple people participating
REMINDER! This post–From the Field–is just some of the information we’ll be sharing in our quarterly e-updates. We’d love to share more of our highlights with you. If you’re interested in receiving future updates, just scroll down and SUBSCRIBE below. ↓
