VISUAL STORY RELEASE

Submitted by: Linda Fielder

Date: 5/10/2017

Activity: Sustainability Projects

Title: VP@C Learners Conclude Their Earth Day Celebration

VP@C Investigates Simple Changes for a Cleaner Planet

In celebration of Earth Day, VP@C Turning Point learners began a unit designed to create awareness of changes we can make as consumers to create a healthier living environment and healthier lives. Inspired by a field trip to the Coppell Nature Park and a series of learning experiences highlighting relevant environmental concerns, learners selected topics of interest and began investigations into the causes, effects and potential solutions for their topics.

Several weeks were spent researching and investigating and organizing information for presentations to fellow learners, school staff and a panel of CISD community members. The much anticipated day arrived and learners presented convincing arguments on changes we can make to lead healthier lives and create a healthier environment. The eventful day included presentation, demonstrations and infographic representations.

Topics included keeping microfibers out of our freshwater and marine ecosystems, simple homemade cleaners, herbicides and pesticides, sustainable food choices and the repurposing of typical throw away items. The top take-aways were simple recipes for a homemade dust spray as well as a pesticide and an herbicide.

Picture: VP@C learners from left to right, Kotone Yamamoto, Subhekshya Khanal, Andrew Muchai, demonstrating the simple steps taken to make an eco-friendly dust spray using oil, lemon juice and vinegar.

Submitted by:  Linda Fielder

Date:             4/7/2017

Activity:          A new teaching moment with Denton Creek learners

Title:                VP@C Learners become Educators as they Engage Denton Creek 4th Graders

  Victory Place @ Coppell Turning Point learners became educators for the afternoon as they brought Perot Museum style science exhibits to Coppell to provide learning experiences for Denton Creek Elementary 4th graders. Inspired by a field trip to the Perot Museum of Nature and Science on March 21st,  Turning Point learners brought back ideas and plans to create their own Science Exhibits to share with the 4th graders. After working diligently for several weeks, an invitation was sent asking the 4th grades to participate in the planned VP@C mini-museum. The much anticipated day arrived. On April 7th, the fourth graders visited Victory Place where they were greeted by excited Turning Point learners and  six engaging exhibits. The fourth graders viewed the exhibits “Rocks, Minerals, Gems, and Geodes,” “The Effects of Oil Spills on Wildlife,” “Creation of the Universe,” “Weather In Different Climates,” “Plant Adaptations” and “Animal Adaptations”.

It was an exciting and memorable learning experience for both schools as VP@C learners became educators and Denton Creek learners experienced museum exhibits right here in Coppell. Staff and learners from both schools were enthusiastic and enjoyed working together and learning from each other.

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Denton Creek 4th graders learning how a Geodes is formed. Presenters are left to right, Paige Smith, Trevor Stevenson, Jasper Zhang and Joshua Hewlett.

Victory Place @ Coppell Learners Participate in Teaching Venture

Learners Victory Place @ Coppell Turning Point learners began their quest to contribute to the learning experiences of Denton Creek 4th graders and give back to their community with an exciting visit to the Perot Museum of Nature and Science on March 21st. At the Perot learners participated in a variety of interactive features  and completed a Scavenger Hunt designed to enhance their own learning experience. During their visit learners felt the effects of earthquakes on the Earthquake Simulator machine, tested their driving skills, used digital electronics to create music and sound, and compared their running speed to athletes and animals in the 55 foot Sports Run Exhibit to name just a few. They are now using their knowledge and skills to collaborate in groups to create their own interactive science exhibits for the 4th graders who will be visiting on April 7th. This will be an exciting day for all as learners become educators for a day!

From left to right: VP@C learners Andrew Kim and Joshua Bachhofer in the Bio Lab investigating antimicrobial agents.

Visual Story Release

Submitted by:  Linda Fielder

Date:             12/12/2016

Activity:          Museum Exhibits with Denton Creek

Title:                VP@C Brings Science to Life for Denton Creek Elementary

Inspired by a field trip to the Perot Museum of Nature and Science on November 10th, 2016, Turning Point learners at Victory Place @ Coppell began to work diligently to create their own VP@C Nature and Science Exhibits. An invitation was sent to the Denton Creek third grades asking them to participate in our newly created mini-museum. After much anticipation the day arrived and on December 12th, the third graders walked over to Victory Place @ Coppell and were greeted by eight engaging and technology-rich exhibits.

The third graders interacted with Turning Point learners to learn about Wind Energy, the Regions of Texas,  Sports Medicine in addition to other topics. Each exhibit contained an activity for the elementary kids to participate in, a technology piece, and a visual aspect to draw them in and give them more information. The learners even had the treat of seeing a live Bearded Dragon in the Critically Endangered Species Exhibit. Staff and learners from both schools enjoyed working together and learning from each other. This has become a great collaboration and learning experience for both schools.  

Photo #1

Visual Story Release

Submitted by:  Linda Fielder

Date:              9/8/16

Activity:          Sustainability Story

Title:               Victory Place @ Coppell Learners Begin the Path to a More Sustainable Future

VP@C Learners Begin Their Journey to Environmental Awareness

It was an amazing start to the school year as the Turning Point class from VP@C gave back to the community by volunteering at the Coppell Nature Park. Learners under the direction of Alisa Koslowski, Bruce Wilcox and Mike Martin worked tirelessly to maintain and augment the trails at the park. At any one instance on the morning of September 8th, the learners could be seen exhibiting the life principles of responsibility, diligence and cooperation as they worked together rotating jobs to get the mission accomplished. Learners shoveled mulch into wheelbarrows, pushed the wheelbarrows up and down the trails, and spent time making sure the mulch was distributed evenly so that visitors to the park can have an enjoyable experience.

After a quick cool down and lunch, learners participated in an inspiring presentation by Ms. Koslowski on BEC Green, the green features of the Biodiversity Education Center. The biodiversity center was built to LED standards using repurposed steel panels for the interior and exterior, as well as the restrooms. Learners were introduced to Green materials such as the carpet made from recycled plastics and the Nudura wall construction which provides excellent insulation for the building. Learners were able to view the roof which is designed in a butterfly pattern to collect rainwater into an enormous cistern outside the building. We also had the opportunity to learn about the 96 solar panels and view the  four inverters which help convert electricity from DC to AC to power the center.

The day ended with a viewpoints-on-line activity where learners debated their positions on various environmental topics and a stream test where learners tested the  quality of water in our own Cottonwood Creek.

Last but not least. the Turning Point learners completed another volunteer opportunity by setting up the BEC for a meeting of the Coppell Parks Department before boarding their bus for the trip back to VP@C.

VP@C learners displaying service at the Coppell Nature Park.