Summer into Autumn 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 2022. 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
We are passionate about helping learners of all ages to go next level with our unique brand of real-world learning.
We are grateful to be collaborating with willing partners at the local, regional and national level to build synergy and create big impacts.
Since May, we have designed and delivered 54 localized experiences with 648 learners sharing tools to help them do community better by connecting with their place.
PreK Experiences
STORY ADVENTURES
A renewed collaboration with Petoskey Public Library
Talking, reading, singing and wiggling their way around town, kids and caregivers used our localized field guide and map to make discoveries about trees, rocks and water in Petoskey’s gaslight district.
“I loved discovering someplace new. My daughter loved the map. It gave her ownership of the adventure.” —Parent
Wide Reach: 141 learners (82 kids, 58 adults, 1 librarian)
TOPO EXPLORERS
A renewed collaboration with
the City of Harbor Springs
Making nature soup, grinding leaves and building animal homes! Kids and caregivers explored 6 city parks by doing place-based, play-based, and wonder-based tasks together. Families walked away with new tools to go exploring everywhere.
“I really loved how you introduced each child and allowed them to be seen and welcomed” —Rachel Jackson, Parent
Wide Reach: 47 learners (27 kids, 20 adults)
Youth Experiences
BACKYARD ADVENTURES: This Place Matters
A renewed collaboration with Harbor Springs Public Schools
Reading maps, route finding, asking questions, and problem solving were a few of the real-life skill building opportunities on hand for every 5th grader. Hearing stories from community elders – Why do we have a noon siren? and Why does our harbor matter? – were a highlight!
“It was a successful day of finding out why Harbor Springs matters. The next day my lesson in English Language Arts was about looking deeper for the hidden gems when reading. Backyard Adventures was a perfect connection.” —5th Grade Teacher
Wide Reach: (49 students, 2 teachers, 4 support crew, 3 community connectors)
PADDLING TO THE PAST
A renewed collaboration with
Harbor Springs High School
What does home mean to you? What did home mean to the 1835 Odawa delegation that paddled from Harbor Springs to Washington D.C.? U.S. History students gained a deeper understanding of the causes and effects of a local event that had nationwide effects by canoeing in the harbor and reflecting by the bay.
"This place-based learning experience really helped reach students who struggle learning through traditional methods. History really did come alive, and our students definitely benefited from this all-encompassing educational endeavor.” —U.S. History Teacher
Wide Reach: 81 learners (70 students; 2 teachers; 5 support crew; 4 community connectors)
CAREER PATHWAYS
A renewed collaboration with Harbor Springs Middle School
What’s challenging about your job? How much training did you need? Why did you want to be a chef? These are a few of the questions 8th graders posed to local professionals while connecting through career conservations on the streets (literally!) of Harbor Springs. Students heard about non-traditional career pathways, practiced their handshake and learned how to answer customer phone calls.
“Real world, hands on, small group learning at its best!” —8th Grade Teacher
Wide Reach: 86 learners (58 students, 4 teacher, 21 career connectors, 3 support crew)
CAMP HARBOR
A new collaboration with Harbor Springs Public Schools
“Adventure. Friendship. Community” happened every day for eleven weeks this summer! Campers got out-and-about with local leaders to gain skills and learn about our community– fishing, biking, golfing, photography, painting, storytelling, survival and so much more.
“I liked everything about getting out to do adventures.” —Camper
“Highly recommend it. It keeps kids busy, and active, and they learn valuable things.” —Parent
Deep Reach: 33 learners (28 campers, 4 counselors, 1 administrator)
Wide Reach: (43 community connectors)
HARBOR ROCKS
A renewed collaboration with Harbor Springs Public Schools
Every kindergartner discovered firsthand why our town is called Harbor Springs! Using the waterfront as a community classroom, students found a special rock, made observations on the dock, and collected water from a spring. This unique, real-world learning experience is in its eighth year and has become a tradition for our district.
Wide Reach: 54 learners (45 students, 3 teachers, 6 support crew)
Adult Experiences
TOPO CONNECT WORKSHOP
A new collaboration with the Colonial Inn and Harbor Springs Area Chamber of Commerce
At the Chamber’s S.T.I.R. event, local business leaders were sent off in teams with a map, field guide and discovery tools to explore the grounds of the Colonial Inn. Along the way, they discovered many “Whoas!” and “Wonders” about this newly renovated, local gem.
“Fast paced, fun, informative, thought provoking, and all in a way that better explained to me not only a business but their place in our community as a business and as a part of history.” —Kathie Breighner, Citizen of the Year
Deep Reach: 55+ chamber members, 6 administrators
WILDERNESS FIRST RESPONDER TRAINING
A new collaboration with Wilderness Medical Associates International
Broken bone in the woods? Allergic reaction on the water? No problem! There’s a newly certified cohort of WFRs from all over MI and WI who trained in June right here at our Center. Practice drills in Zorn Park and a real-world, patient simulation prepared them to assess and treat injuries/illnesses in the backcountry.
Deep reach: 11 students, 2 instructors
Wide reach: 2 patients
NEXT LEVEL LEARNING WORKSHOP
A renewed collaboration with National Park Service
This multi-year initiative is focused on leveling up the historic trades trainings offered nationwide by the Historic Preservation Training Center (HPTC). Phase 1 was revamping the NPS traditional teaching model with TOPOnexus’ next-level learning methods. Plus launching a successful pilot by HPTC staff with tradespeople! Phase 2 was onboarding more HPTC staff by our founder, Molly Ames Baker, this August in Grand Teton National Park. Phase 3 will involve scaling out train-the-trainer trainings across NPS and beyond.
"I'm really excited to see this shift towards experiential and more "guide on the side" instead of "sage on the stage." I really think our learners will notice and appreciate this shift in philosophy.
—HPTC Instructor
Deep Reach: 7 students, 3 administrators
WORKFORCE LAB
A renewed collaboration with Industrial Arts Institute
After designing a new civics curriculum and delivering a successful pilot with Cohort 19, we have reviewed and refined it for Cohort 20. In Workforce Lab, welders use the Noble Arc to explore what it means to build a Noble Workforce– setting a noble aim, acting for the greater good, and serving as a catalyst. Welders will create their own “Going Noble” Arc to showcase their strengths to prospective employers at the Talent Expo in December.
“I wonder why people define themselves based off a hard skill. We are more than just our utility to a business or society.” —A Welder’s Take-Away from Lab 2
Deep reach: 15 students, 3 instructors, 1 administrator
REMINDER! This post–From the Field–is just some of the information we’ll be sharing in our seasonal 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 with your email below. ↓
