TOPO Explorers: PreK in the Parks Workshop
The parks provided a powerful setting where kids could be self-paced learners making discoveries on their own and sharing them with others. We witnessed many special learning moments between children and adults.
Overview of Workshop
TOPOnexus and the City of Harbor Springs collaborated to offer a pilot of TOPO Explorers at four parks during July and August 2021. The project resulted in 56 individual park experiences while raising awareness of lesser-used City parks and sharing the mission of TOPOnexus – connecting people to place.
By responding to a need for PreK programming, the collaboration yielded a positive outdoor learning experience, a deeper connection to the parks, and exposure to the TOPOnexus way of learning for 15 families, including 18 kids and 17 adults.
“Our family has really enjoyed participating in TOPO Explorers! It is well organized, while still giving kids ownership of their exploration and learning. We appreciate the consistency of each session, while also introducing new environments and different discovery tools.”
–Testimonial from participant
Impact & Wide Reach
Learners participating in TOPO Explorers were given the opportunity to use their sense of wonder, slow down, and explore. The parks provided a powerful setting where kids could be self-paced learners making discoveries on their own and sharing them with others. Adult participants were guided to facilitate child-led play and find unique features in each park. These families are now empowered with tools to take place-based learning to any park.
Park Experience Participants
56
Individual Park Experiences
15
Families
18
Kids
17
Adults
“TOPO Explorers is an easy and fun way for kids to explore, interact and engage with their community.”
“Great way to get outside for an hour and learn something too!”
–Testimonials from participants
Collaboration
The benefit of this collaboration was twofold: more awareness of HS parks and visibility of TOPOnexus programming. Our partnership was successful on multiple levels: we worked together to articulate and achieve the shared goal of filling an identified gap in PreK programming and increase traffic at select HS parks.
“New opportunities, new learning, new friends”
–Testimonial from participant
Wonder & Whoa!
We witnessed many special learning moments between children and adults. Together, they delighted in exploring the parks and creating a shared play and place-based experience that can be easily replicated. Many expressed the desire to return again on their own to City park sites and take part in TOPO Explorers again. We are excited to build on this positive momentum with the future refinement of TOPO Explorers as well as other pilot projects.
What is Wonder & Whoa?
Without wonder, we cannot gain new perspectives or innovate. With wonder, we become lifelong learners. We are full of wonder. Whoa is something that stops you in your tracks and inspires, surprises, or shocks you. Together, wonder and whoa have the transformative power to create meaningful personalized learning.
