Blind and Peeking Contour Drawing - The Influence of an Opportunity to Slow Down and Spend Time Looking Deeply at Something

16 years ago, I was first exposed to a way of looking at the world that suited my 11-year-old brain: closely and with as much time as I needed. I learned that everything has a story, and by asking a few simple questions, many answers could be revealed. I learned that looking closely at the world helps to teach us about ourselves, and builds connections with people and ideas that have long since passed. I learned all of these life lessons as a grade 5 student at Stampede School. 

Fast forward nearly 17 years later and I have brought those lessons with me every step of the way. My progress in writing and drawing are not the only pieces of evidence that I have to showcase the impact of the program. I grew to know and understand myself not only as a citizen of the city, but the world, and that despite being one person I can influence greater changes. And I learned all of this from 5 days exploring the micro-climate of the Stampede grounds. I honestly don’t know if I would be the Assistant Coordinator for Chevron Open Minds Science School, but I do know that I would still be working in outreach education. The tactile and interdisciplinary learning environment allowed my brain to break free of the silos I had grown accustomed to, and teaching others to do the same and believe that they have a larger role in our world? Well I simply cannot think of a more fulfilling calling.

~ Amy Leedham - Chevron Open Minds Science School, Assistant Coordinator

The KEY ELEMENTS of Campus Calgary / Open Minds

Campus Calgary / Open Minds is a dynamic and innovative Education Program, 27 years in the making.  From one week at the Calgary Zoo in 1993, to 14 sites and 260 weeks in 2019-20, CCOM has stayed strong through rich educational experiences for students and their teachers. These rigorous and collaborative learning experiences take students into the community and connect them to experts who are committed and passionate about experiential learning.

There are elements of Campus Calgary / Open Minds that have been a part of the work since the beginning, and that have also been responsive to changes in education, including the increase of personalization of learning and experiential opportunities for students.  The KEY ELEMENTS of CCOM are often considered the backbone of the program and exist at all of our sites.  These are sound pedagogical ways of being with learners of all ages.

Teachers as designers, in collaboration with site coordinators and educational coordinator, co-constructing learning

Work alongside experts

Engage in hands on activities and experiential learning

Slow down and go beyond the obvious

Explore, discover, reflect and share

Build strong relationships

Inspire ownership and stewardship

Maintain high standards for quality learning experiences for all students

Inquiry driven interdisciplinary approach

Develop action and awareness

Personalized learning opportunities to meet individual needs

Open Minds' Zoo School - 'Get to know a stick!'

During our Chevron Open Minds Zoo School summer workshop, teachers got to know a stick. They became familiar with its bumps and warts, split ends, and fraying bark while sketching their new friend! Each stick was then mixed up in the middle of the space and the sketches were used by the rest of the group to try to identify each stick.

Since this training in August, I have noticed this same exercise being used in classrooms with students as preparation for their zoo school week, and a learning opportunity to add a new set of skills to the student’s journaling toolbox.

#journalling #naturejournal #studentwork #education #yycCCOM #johnmuirlaws @calgaryzoo @ChevonCR @johnmuirlaws

~ Teegan Bennington Jessop, Zoo School Assistant Coordinator