Attention:
Sidney Weedman
Vice President, Government Relations
101 West Washington Street
Indianapolis, IN  46255

Mr. Weedman,

    What follows is a proposal to receive funding for the Outdoor Education Lab at Highland Park Elementary School in Bloomington, Indiana.

Goal:  The goal of the Outdoor Education Lab at Highland Park Elementary School is to further the science education experience of the students.  More specifically, students will explore different local ecosystems by collecting samples and data in connection with the Outdoor Education Lab, in order to share their findings collaboratively with their peers and instructor.  We are seeking funds to purchase items that will allow students to share and view findings with the whole class, i.e. to display slides of student collected samples in support of collaborative work, group discussions, and scientific presentations.

Need:  The benefits of collaborative learning have been well documented (Slavin, 1995).  Further, the importance of engaging students, even in 2nd grade, in authentic scientific practices is currently a major initiative in science education (Knorr-Cetina, 1992; Roupp, Gal, Drayton, & Pfister, 1993).  It is essential that we provide students with an opportunity to collect data, analyze results, publicly present and defend their findings with peers.  We have found that when students have to make their cases and then let 23 students all take turns looking through the same microscope it becomes a daunting task.  Further, students are never sure what part of the slide their peers are focusing on.  Therefore, it becomes necessary to find some means of helping students to make their data public; that is, in a form that the entire class can see what it looks like and, further, allows the student to point at the actual samples when defending their arguments.

Benefits:  Currently, collaborative learning takes place in small groups.  Students collect samples from the Outdoor Education Lab and work in small groups with individual microscopes to focus on and to complete the lesson objectives.  One second grade class participated in a field day in the Outdoor Education Lab collecting samples of soil, pond water, and wetland plants.  These samples were studied more closely in the classroom.  While observing the pond water under a microscope, one student found a water "critter".  Before the next student got to the microscope, the water "critter" had moved out of view.  This is but one example of how using individual microscopes that are not hooked up to a monitor prevents students from sharing their observations with the whole class.  With this funding, Highland Park Elementary School with be able to improve its science education.  Teachers and students will use the television, the camera, the microscope, and the cart to provide whole class instruction.  With a slide being placed under the microscope, and the image being projected onto the television screen, the whole class will see and will discuss one sample.

About the School:  Highland Park Elementary School is located in Bloomington, Indiana.  This school contains 250 students in kindergarten through sixth grade.  Just beyond the playground behind Highland Park Elementary School is an Outdoor Education Lab that is several acres.  It is in the process of being developed.  This Outdoor Education Lab contains four major ecosystems to study:  wetlands, pond life, local agriculture, and native woods.  This Outdoor Education Lab is intended to provide hands-on learning for both students and teachers alike.

Grant Proposal:  We are requesting $2500.00 to purchase items that will further the hands-on experience provided by the Outdoor Education Lab.  Listed below are the items and prices we are requesting:

1.    Ken-a-vision video flex camera
      VF-5000 series
      5100 camera                                                $ 695.00

2.    TV monitor 27" color Panasonic
       CT27 84 VY                                               $ 695.00

3.    National stereo microscope
       410 TBL-10                                                $ 385.00

4.    Cart (all items will live on this)
       8TW-56                                                    $ 350.00

5.    Development and delivery                            $ 375.00

       Total                                                         $2500.00*

* Instruction on the use of equipment as well as equipment setup will be provided by the vendor.

Thank you for your time and consideration.  Please contact Mrs. Mary Lou Cunningham with and questions you may have.