Our communities need unique, place-based solutions.
Community engagement is the opportunity for students, teachers and local community members (comprised of businesses, non-profits, and families) to use technology skills and Growth Mindset to design creative solutions aimed at local concerns. Unique from other programs, T3 Alliance adaptable framework expands the outcomes past classroom technology to reach deep into our local communities.
What does community engagement look like?
Sustainable, Locally Grown Food – Grow Towers
Students learned about, build and automat small versions of the Automated Vertical Bucket Grow Tower. Their journey included a visit to Chena GreenHouse operations. Here they were given an introduction to the original Vertical Bucket Lettuce Grow Tower design developed by Chena Hot Springs. After Chena Hot Springs the students participated a 2-day workshop run in partnership with a Natural Resource Education Specialist, partners from Future Farmers of America, and Yukon Farms. The students learned new vocabulary and understanding around the programming and automation concepts and components of the grow towers with T3 instructor lead training. T3 Alliance program coordinated the community partnerships, student learning environments, curriculum and supplies to enable this collaborate learning opportunity.
Environmental Threats – Puerto Rico Raspberry Shake
Since the December 28th 2019, Puerto Rico has been afflicted by an ongoing earthquake swarm causing havoc for the local community. The most powerful and damaging earthquake from this swarm was a magnitude 6.4, which occurred on January 7th 2020, devastating communities and leaving many without homes. The constant shaking continues today, with thousands of strongly-felt magnitude 3.0-4.5 earthquakes occurring since last year.
Turning a Crisis into an Educational Opportunity
For six months in 2018 Lava flowed out of a fissure on the eastern side of Hawaii Island. The eruption was significant in the lives of all the residents on the island. Residents were advised to shelter in place or evacuate to shelters due to the effects of the eruption. Empowered with their newly minted skillsets, Upward Bound students decided to apply their classroom activities beyond academic learning and into a more practical and needed application.
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