Meeting Notes 5.1.10

Thank you to everyone for coming on Saturday - we had a very relaxed meeting in the yard with snacks and dogs. We also had some really great seed sprouts on Saturday - but Lilit took the prize! Photos to come in the near future.



Summary:
So this week we talked about a more specific direction to take - we have an amazing opportunity to partner. A Otis A/L/I student has been working on transforming old trampolines into shade structures. The top material already has a UV coating and when you add another fabric layer the tops can be used as a garden area. The project has been working with the Boys and girls Club in East LA (and they already have a learning garden) and would love to have this become a built project.

Christine (the Main Designer) is soldifiying the design and making sure it's legal to build. We were able to talk and Project H would help develop the gardens and learning activities that can work with it. This is perfect because we now have a specific project to work within, a educational organization to partner with, and an agreement to raise funds and build!

I hope this makes sense any specific questions or need clarification just blog it.


Notes:
- Project focus is on eating healthy, growing, communication, and games
- The potential for themes(ex. different plants from different regions)
- Thinking of how a raised garden would work (potential landscapes - meaning multiple trampolines at different heights)
- Lower smaller trampolines for working gardens
- Planting native plants in the center and edible plants around the parameter
- Best way for kids to retain information?
- How are kids at B + G Club grouped? By age or activities?
- Group games and activities
- multiple goal vs. one big one
- Group winning (ex. winners get a bean added to the jar - when the jar is full the whole
class gets a treat)
- Game activities that talk about where food comes from, how ingredients become
recognizable foods
- Individual activities vs. group games
- Activites (ex. the plant dance)
- Incorporating permanant tools or "props" into the trampoline area that are involved in the
games
- Self initiated games vs. teacher organized games
- Garden Bingo

To Do:
- Keep taking care of your seedlings and document and post photos!
- Research on food/gardening related projects, games, activiteies etc.
- Creative fund raising opportunites so we can build this project.


Next Steps:
- Meet with Christine - Structure Designer
*We have a tentative meeting planned for the week of the 24th - stayed tuned for more details!
- Visit to Boys and Girls Club - East LA
- Lilit has a trampoline we can do come testing on