Fall 2021
GEOLOGY 4110
section 008
Creative Inquiry Research e-Portfolio
Graycen Hall
Clemson University Senior
Environmental & Natural Resources Major +
Natural Resources & Economic Policy Concentration
(803)-429-4105
About
Hands-On Science Education: Carolina Natural History Project
Geology 4110 is a creative inquiry service-learning project focusing on research and field investigations for developing activities for elementary level students in Pendleton, SC. The Pendleton Elementary Nature Trail is at the central focus of the research which is intended to reflect my personal interest in Environmental Policy.
I began this project in the spring, focusing primarily on land and water pollution in the trail with the help of Jordan Moran. We created a lesson plan with optional activities that was presented to a class at the end of the semester.
Journal
Hour Log & Brief Summary of Weekly Activities
RESEARCH ACTIVITIES
Week 1
2 hours 30 min
8/23 - On campus meeting with Dr. Wagner [30 min]
8/25 - Created new e-Portfolio & began formatting website [1 hr]
8/29 - Began and worked on semester research and trail manager plan [1 hr]
Week 2
1 hour 30 min
9/1 - On campus meeting with Dr. Wagner and Tanner [30 min]
9/3 - Visited the Pendleton Nature Trial to do an introductory walk [1 hr]
Week 3
3 hours
9/6 - On campus meetings with Dr. Wagner, Tanner, and Hannah [1 hr]
9/12 - Worked on notes for park, forest, and trail management research [2 hrs]
Week 4
2 hours 30 min
9/14 - Updated semester plan based on previous meeting discussions [30 min]
9/15 - Worked on notes for trail hazards research [1 hr]
9/19 - Worked on notes for how to create the new spur trail(s) [1 hr]
Week 5
1 hour
9/24 - Worked on notes for potential meeting questions w/ the school [1 hr]
Week 6
1 hour 30 min
CO-TRAIL MANAGER ACTIVITIES
Week 5
2 hours
9/26 - Visited trail to take notes and document trail needs w/ photos [2 hrs]
Week 6
1 hour 30 min
9/27 - Researched proper trail marking methods and made notes [30 min]
10/1 - Updated trail needs notes with new marked map [1 hr]
Week 8
4 hours
10/16 - Visited trail alone to begin clearing and added new markers [3 hrs]
10/17 - Typed up notes from visit observations with photos [1 hr]
Week 9
1 hour
10/21 - Worked on notes for potential QR code sign options [1 hr]
Week 10
30 min
10/25 - Corresponded with Tanner over e-mail to plan trail clean-up [30 min]
Week 14
30 min
11/22 - Typed up notes for future trail maintenance needs [30 min]
9/27 - On campus meetings with Dr. Wagner, Tanner, and Hannah [1 hr]
9/27 - Looked through Pendleton Elementary's website for existing club or staff to take over the trail; put findings in Principal Meeting Notes [30 min]
Week 7
2 hour 30 min
10/6 - Brainstormed and started plan for activity/lesson for students [1 hr 30 min]
10/9 - Began working on outline for class presentation on google slides [1 hr]
Week 8
1 hour
10/14 - Continued working on class presentation on google slides [1 hr]
Week 9
2 hours
10/18 - On campus meeting with Dr. Wagner and Hannah [30 min]
10/21 - Worked on a list of questions for my interview with the principal [30 min]
10/21 - Continued working on class presentation on google slides [1 hr]
Week 10
2 hours
10/25 - Viewed Hannah's e-portfolio to understand her research [30 min]
10/26 - Corresponded w/ Dr. Wagner and Mr. Simpson over email to plan meeting [30 min]
10/27 - Continued working on class presentation on google slides [1 hr]
Week 11
3 hours 30 min
11/1 - Corresponded w/ Dr. Wagner about upcoming meetings [30 min]
11/2 - Finished full draft of class presentation on google slides [1 hr]
11/5 - Held the interview w/ PES principal and Dr. Wagner at the school [1 hr]
11/5 - Used interview recording to type up notes from the interview [1 hr]
Week 12
2 hours
11/8 - On campus meeting with Dr. Wagner and Brooke [30 min]
11/10 - Edited presentation to adjust to 2nd grade level & outdoors only [30 min]
11/12 - Made new lesson plan and incorporated animals into lesson [1 hr]
Week 13
1 hour 30 min
11/19 - Met w/ 2nd grade teachers at PES to discuss activity plans [30 min]
11/19 - Placed blue markers at spur trail points to use for activity [30 min]
11/21 - Finalized presentation PDF document to use while on trail [30 min]
Week 14
2 hours
11/22 - Held activity with various 2nd grade classes on the trail [2 hours]
Week 15
1 hour 30 min
11/29 - Began writing reflection [30 min]
12/1 - Finished writing reflection [1 hr]
Travel Log
8/23 - Drove to and from campus for meeting with Dr. Wagner [20 min]
9/1 - Drove to and from campus for meeting with Dr. Wagner and Tanner [20 min]
9/3 - Drove to and from Pendleton Elementary School to visit the nature trail [20 min]
9/6 - Drove to and from campus for meetings with Dr. Wagner, Tanner, and Hannah [20 min]
9/26 - Drove to and from Pendleton Elementary School to visit the nature trail [20 min]
9/27 - Drove to and from campus for meetings with Dr. Wagner, Tanner, and Hannah [20 min]
10/16 - Drove to and from Pendleton Elementary School to visit the nature trail [20 min]
10/18 - Drove to and from campus for meeting with Dr. Wagner and Hannah [20 min]
11/5 - Drove to and from Pendleton Elementary School to have an interview w/ the principal [20 min]
11/8 - Drove to and from campus for meeting with Dr. Wagner and Brooke [20 min]
11/19 - Drove to and from Pendleton Elementary School to meet 2nd grade teachers [20 min]
11/22 - Drove to and from Pendleton Elementary School to hold activities on the trail [20 min]
Reflection
End of Course Self-Evaluation
For my activity with the 2nd grade students I prepared a short slides presentation on land and trail management and the duties of trail managers. In addition, I discussed how land management impacts animals in both positive and negative ways, and I also talked about the use of trails by animals. Then after the completion of the lesson, I asked the students to see if they could spot the blue trail markers in the distance and asked what would need to be done to create spur trails that lead to these points. The students mostly responded positively to the entire activity. They seemed to love being able to go deeper into the trail and to give input on what we could do to the land to create the trails. The majority of the students paid attention to the lesson and did their best to answer all of the questions I asked throughout our time. Only a few of the students seemed to be indifferent to the activity and not pay attention given they were distracted by each other or other parts of the outdoors, but I do not believe this was due to my activity's content.
While the time slot of 15 minutes per group went by very quickly each time I completed the activity, I seemed to get everything done and discussed adequately with all of the groups. I carried out the activity a total of six times to separate groups within each of the three classes. Between the different times I conducted the activity, the only changes I made were rephrasing concepts based on how I gauged that the students in the first group understood me. Once I had a better view of the education level of the students, I tailored the way I spoke and my word choice to better fit that level. I believe that I made the information appropriate for the 2nd grade level of understanding. While there were terms the students did not understand prior to the lesson, like land management, cat-brier, or spur trails, this gave me the opportunity to teach those concepts to the kids.
I think the majority of the activity went well. The parts that were most noteworthy were how excited the students were to spot the blue spur trail markers. Many of the students seemed to be very engaged and interested in the trail and environment because they spoke enthusiastically about their own knowledge and personal experiences. If I were to take a different approach in the future, I may have thought of ways to give the students more of a hands-on experience. While we were outside within the trail, there was not anything for the students to do aside from discuss and observe. If there were a next time, I may find a safe way to allow the students to move branches or cut down brier (with gloves) to give them a hands-on approach to trail management.