THE RESOURCE CORNER Great tips for college-bound students about admission into both public and private institutions. PAGE
Fall 2020 QUARTERLY
ISSUE
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AN EXTRA LAYER OF
PROTECTION
EAST students at Harrison work to help slow the spread of Covid-19 in classrooms. PAGE
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MAGNETIC FISHING EAST students at Star City High School use grant funds to help clean up the city. PAGE
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WE’RE PARTYING ALL YEAR LONG! Thank you for attending our virtual birthday celebration. We couldn’t have done it without you! From the virtual party to the in-school celebrations, everyone at EAST appreciates you!
THE PARTY CONTINUES ON A PLATFORM NEAR YOU...
SAVE THE DATE EAST CONFERENCE 2021: HOMECOMING MARCH 17-19 Logo Design by Grayson Siebert, Amorel High School
Visit EASTconference.org for more information.
EAST FAMILY!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
We are deep into the cold months of the year — I think it’s safer to reference them that way as opposed to a season because it could feel like spring during winter in a matter of hours in Arkansas — and I am excited! I’d love to have some snow. Maybe our friends in Pennsylvania can send some snow vibes this way! Nonetheless, I know I’ll be enjoying good gumbo and shrimp and grits when I visit home (Alabama). My mom’s side of the family has held on to their Louisiana roots, and we make sure to tap into them for the holidays! Louisiana friends, can you send me some of your favorite holiday food suggestions to try? This issue is supposed to be about how EAST is surviving COVID-19… Well… as you flip through the pages, you’ll see that we are thriving. Maybe at a different pace and perhaps in ways that are a little challenging, but we are indeed thriving, and so are you!
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THE RESOURCE CORNER
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BECOME AN EAST STUDENT TRAINER
Great advice for college-bound students for private and public institutions.
Could you be an EAST Student Training Instructor and help shape the minds of tomorrow?
As we wrap up a year that even the best movie directors and producers could not have scripted, we say thank you! EAST looks different, but your patience, encouraging words, and support have made it all doable!
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Thank you to everyone who tuned in at the end of the summer — nearly 2,000 of you— for the Not Just Another Webinar Series. We weren’t the only ones pivoting how we could connect, and we knew you all needed support to stay connected as well for work and school. Feel free to visit our YouTube channel for a refresher!
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Thank you to everyone who became an official member of the new initiative Friends of EAST! This exclusive group now has nearly 250 members, an advisory board, and exclusive insights to EAST! Sign up on the EAST website today! In a time where some people have experienced significant loss and lack, you all still gave generously for our 25th birthday and Giving Tuesday! Because of you, we will continue to enhance student training, provide upgrade grants for programs, and support an EAST alum as they further their education!
AN EXTRA LAYER OF PROTECTION EAST students at Harrison High School are trying to stop the spread of COVID.
MAGNETIC FISHING EAST students at Star City High School use grant funds to clean up the city.
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VIRTUAL EVENT SURVIVAL
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#ISupportEAST
Get tips from EAST staff members on hosting virtual events.
Hear from EAST Alum, Christian Canizales.
Apryl Jackson Communications Coordinator
QUARTERLY
fb.me/EASTinitiative
6215 Ranch Dr. Little Rock, AR 72223 501.371.5016 EASTinitiative.org communications@EASTstaff.org
@theEASTinitiative
@EASTinitiative
EAST Initiative
MAGAZINE TEAM Editor - Apryl Jackson Designer - Kristen Farmin
news.eastlink.me/podcast
EAST Initiative
Disclaimer The publisher cannot accept responsibility for any unsolicited materials lost or damaged in the post. All text and layout is the copyright of the EAST Initiative. Nothing in this magazine may be reproduced in whole or in part without the express written permission of the copyright holder. All copyrights are recognized and used specifically for the purpose of criticism and review.
Read this and previous issues online at news.EASTlink.me/EQ SUMMER 2020 | EAST QUARTERLY
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THE
RESOURCE CORNER
How To Get Into College
ADMISSIONS ADVICE FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS Hello, EAST fam! I’m Hailey Canada, and I’m an Admissions Counselor at the University of Arkansas. I have worked in admissions, student involvement, leadership development, event planning, and organization advising across the state. My experience with so many different areas at different Arkansas universities has given me a unique perspective of higher education and how important it is for students to find their fit when deciding where to attend college. I hope to pass on some of this knowledge to you through a few helpful tips. Every student’s college admissions process looks slightly different, but there are some general ways that each student can make this important time in their life a little bit easier and less stressful!
1. Start early. It’s never too early to start thinking about college!
Enjoy your time in high school, but there are certain things that can help you prepare for college while also enhancing your high school experience. Take AP, IB, or concurrent classes for college credit, keep up your GPA, attend info sessions about colleges before your senior year if your counselor allows it, and get involved and/ or take on leadership roles in clubs that interest you. If there are specific colleges that you know you’ll want to apply for, look up their admissions requirements, and make sure you’re meeting them! Sign up for mailing lists to get information via email and snail-mail. Don’t wait - many admissions deadlines are during the fall of your senior year.
2. Look for resources specific to you. Are you a first-generation student (this means that neither of your parents attended college - even if an older sibling attended, you’re still first-gen!)? Do you identify as belonging to a minoritized population? Do you or your parents serve in the military? Are you a citizen of a different country? Does your family receive SNAP benefits? Do you have an IEP? Did a family member attend the college you want to attend? Do you want to be part of a college Honors program? If you answered yes to any of these questions, many colleges have entire offices dedicated to helping you. Take advantage of them because there may be additional funding or programs available for you to participate in.
3. Visit campuses. Sometimes a campus can have an amazing
website, an amazing brochure, an amazing-sounding program but not feel like “home.” Visiting campus really helps you figure out if you can see yourself living there for the next two to five years! (Even if you don’t live on campus, you’ll spend a lot of time there.) Most universities have visit days and offer campus tours throughout the week. Ask your high school counselor about college visit options. If you don’t have the resources or ability to visit, most schools have a virtual tour on their website. Virtual tours can also help you narrow down which universities to see in person.
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EAST QUARTERLY | EASTinitiative.org
4. Talk to your admissions counselor(s). That’s what we’re here for!
You will have an admissions counselor at every college at which you apply. Admissions counselors, like me, often visit your high school (or have virtual visits), set up tables at college fairs, and send you emails. Throughout the admissions process, we are here to help you answer any questions about the university we represent. While I am always happy to answer questions from your parents/guardians, I really love when students reach out to me directly so that I can build a relationship with them and help them feel comfortable about potentially attending the university.
5. Apply early. Be sure to meet priority deadlines for admissions and scholarships! These deadlines are there for a reason and often come with incentives, like additional scholarship opportunities or free gear.
6. Find (and apply for!) scholarships. Make sure you apply for
scholarships at every university that you are considering. On top of that, apply for scholarships in your community. Spend time talking to your high school counselor about how to find these! Check your parents’/guardians’ work benefits to see if dependent tuition waivers are available, and, like always, utilize Google; be sure that scholarships are legitimate before giving any information. You cannot go overboard when applying for scholarships, and don’t use the excuse that it’s “too much work.” If a scholarship is worth $500 and takes you one hour to apply for it, receiving it would mean you made $500/hr. You really can’t make that much money doing anything else!
7. Choose recommenders wisely. If an application asks for a letter
of recommendation, be sure to read the requirements and choose a recommender that can speak to how you meet those requirements. For example, if a program is looking for individuals that possess creativity and ingenuity, maybe ask your EAST facilitator to write a letter for you. Also, be sure that you give your recommender plenty of time to write a letter for you; don’t wait until the last minute!
8. Weigh more than just the cost. Trust me, I understand that a college’s cost may be one of the main factors when making your decision, and look at a college’s graduation and employment rate, scholarship opportunities, programs of study, and facilities. Attend the college that meets your needs (this can include cost!).
9. Check (and read) your email. Information is continually being sent out, and sometimes
it can be overwhelming. If you’re serious about a specific college, be sure to read any email that they send out. This can include scholarship opportunities, upcoming events, changes to a schedule or process, updates to your application, information requests, and more. Don’t miss out on opportunities because you forgot to check your email. (Bonus tip: Be sure to apply with an email that you’ll have access to even after you graduate from high school.)
10. Do your own research. Not everything you hear is true! Policies change, opportunities
arise, and new initiatives are created all the time. Your brother may have applied to a college last year, but requirements may have changed since then. Your friend may have applied last week but qualify for different programs than you. Please ask your admissions counselor or look on the university website if you have any questions or want something clarified. Every individual’s application is different, and you want to make sure you always have the correct, up-to-date information. Hailey Canada | Regional Admissions Counselor | University of Arkansas | hmcanada@uark.edu
ADMISSIONS ADVICE FOR PRIVATE SCHOOLS Hello everyone in the EAST Network! I am Lizbeth Wilson, Admissions Counselor and Coordinator for Berea Corps at Berea College (BC)! BC is a small private liberal arts school in Berea, KY, in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. BC was the first interracial and coeducational college established in the south in 1855 with a No-Tuition Promise to every admitted student; a value of more than $176,000 over four years. As a result, BC students graduate with one of the lowest rates of student loan debt. BC seeks to admit students who demonstrate academic excellence and financial need. We enroll students from all over the country and 70+ countries, with nearly 40% of our students identifying as students of color and 60% as first-generation. One oft-noted benefit of attending a private institution is smaller class sizes. Smaller class sizes allow for more discussion-based academic learning so that students may process material and be more engaged. This tight-knit community means students have more access to research opportunities, networking is easier, and student involvement both in and out of the classroom is more apparent. As the saying goes, “you’re not just a number” at a small school. It’s incredibly easy to get overwhelmed with advice about how to ace the application process for various colleges. Below, you’ll find three things you should know about applying to a private institution, no matter the school:
1. Each college often has their own application requirements (e.g. recommendation
form, specific essay, etc.) Make yourself a spreadsheet to keep up with variations from school to school.
2. Brush up on your interviewing skills. Whether with an admissions officer or alum representative, an interview can be an important part of the process.
3. Take advantage of the “extras”! These schools often have competitive acceptance rates
so they’re looking for students who demonstrate their desire to be admitted. Submit that resume, write the optional personal statement, visit campus...distinguish yourself.
QUICK TIPS! <<<<
> Check a university’s list of majors
to be sure they have something you want to study!
> Apply for the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship!
> Talk to your high school counselor or career coach about your plans!
> Have a backup plan! Apply for more
than one college because COVID has taught us that literally anything can happen to mess up our plans.
> Ask questions! No one expects you to know everything.
> Have fun! This is an exciting time.
Lizbeth Saucedo Wilson | Admissions Counselor | BereaCorps Liaison SUMMER 2020 | EAST QUARTERLY
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Become An EAST
STUDENT TRAINER O
ne way we empower student growth is with hands-on training that connects EAST students with professional instructors who have real-world experience in their area. Can you imagine having to quickly convert over 70 in-person training sessions to virtual? The student training team basically created an EAST project and moved forward swiftly, providing an updated registration process and assistance with updated technology for quality production of content! Formally known as Student Technical Training, these sessions cover soft skills and technical skills that students can use to solve a problem in their community and prepare them to be successful in almost any industry that uses technology as a tool. For example, in a one or two-day class, students may build a movie set, shoot a short film, begin building a video game in Unreal Engine, create an Android or iOS app, repair a 3D printer, or write and give a professional presentation. Because of the variety of training topics offered, thousands of EAST students participated in training and engaged in unique experiences they wouldn’t get anywhere else. With the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic, we had to pause and rethink how we delivered training to EAST students. Even with smaller sessions and larger spaces strategically set up to support social distancing guidelines, in-person training for EAST was not an option. COVID sent EAST full-speed ahead in a direction we were gently exploring with student training and more virtual options.
“As an out of state program, I really appreciate the virtual setup!! No travel & expenses. Kids don’t have to miss whole days of school!” -Allison Aday, Facilitator, Kiamichi Tech, McAlester
Becoming a student training instructor is a great place to start if you are new to the EAST network! Take our small quiz and see if you’re ready to join the team! • Have you considered connecting with EAST students? • Do you want to be involved in leaving a positive impact on a student’s life? • Are you eager to share some skill or technology with young people all over the country? Many of the instructors that lead student training sessions are industry certified professionals with years of experience and education. During the digital transition, it was essential to provide tools to the trainers as well as the facilitators of the various EAST programs. Simultaneously, they worked on updating in-person content in innovative ways while maintaining a sense of normalcy that students need. Our trainers also appreciate having the ability to lead a class from remote locations. It has offered a level of convenience for them and mostly removed travel costs. For those who opt to teach remotely, we offer every trainer a technology kit that allows them to drive a top tier webinar, and we provide one-onone support with one of our expert virtual team members. Those in close proximity to EAST headquarters have the option to lead their training sessions from the in-house studio built to accommodate all of the video and production needs to keep our network engaged. Instructors are still learning from EAST students, and the students are developing their skill sets to execute their passions better. “I like training EAST students because they are the future problem solvers for Arkansas and the world. In student-driven learning environments such as EAST, kids must have a solid foundation of knowledge of the tools they have at their disposal. This knowledge enables them to focus on community projects utilizing their tools instead of their projects being focused on how the tools and technology work. Learning how to use tools in real-world applications builds a kid’s self-esteem, critical thinking, and creativity. It’s leveled up-learning.“ - Drew Wallis, Maker Made
For a full list of training sessions offer, visit our website EASTInitiative.org
>> Go to EASTlink.me/EASTtrainer and apply today! Contact Training@EASTstaff.org with any questions.
Connect
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TIPS WITH SITE SUPPORT We chatted with our Site Support Team about how they have been able to carry out one of the main components of their role as EAST staff, building relationships and supporting programs through site visits. A site visit is a scheduled visit to the physical location of an EAST program, used as an opportunity for an in-depth discussion of wins, challenges, and expectations. It is a time to wholly focus on the specific needs of that facilitator and those students. Their years of experience combined gave us more than four ways that they have been able to extend their support and guidance virtually, but we want to “Connect 4” from our four to maximize your virtual connections!
1. Perspective is key!
We miss being in your classroom and visiting with all your students! But it is amazing how far we can travel virtually. We can visit programs from all over the state in a few hours. Virtual visits remove the spontaneity that in-person visits bring, but the change has brought on some new wins. No matter how school is being conducted (virtual/in-person/blended) this format allows for us to safely visit everyone and see everyone’s smiling faces, because no matter what 2020 has thrown at us, we all have EAST wins to share.
2. Be present and available.
• Be prepared to talk awhile. Don’t pick a time when you only have a few minutes to spare. • Be on time. Put a reminder on your calendar. • Be sure you pick a good time and try to avoid distractions and disruptions. • Prepare your students ahead of time so they know if they will be visiting with us.
4. Communicate to celebrate.
3. Choose your way to share.
With virtual connections, collaboration can happen, just like being face to face. We all have varying styles and preferences on how to connect with one another - find the best outlet that works for you. We typically use Zoom but let us know if another platform is preferred. With Zoom, having each student on a separate screen is great or you can take turns on a single screen. Either way works as long as we can hear and see you while you see and hear us. Students wanting to show work might be able to use the screen share feature or just visit on a laptop or tablet and turn the screen to what they want to display.
Share your wins - we love to celebrate with you AND we are also here to think through your challenges with you! We love to help! Some prefer using the chat in platforms while others want the cameras and mics on to communicate. In every instance, we are staying connected! So kudos to how you want to connect, just keep on connecting!
Did You Know... The Site Support Team typically travels over 20,000 miles a year to see you all? That’s nearly one time around the earth! SUMMER 2020 | EAST QUARTERLY
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A Project From EAST At Harrison This project’s goal is to build PVC partitions with a clear plastic wall to provide a divider between close workspaces in the classroom while allowing students to still be productive.
MEET THE TEAM <<<<< >> Liam Bright GRADE: 8 YEARS IN EAST: 3
>> Maddox Peck GRADE: 11 YEARS IN EAST: 5
>> Jaxon Holt GRADE: 11 YEARS IN EAST: 4
>> Chloe Regan GRADE: 11 YEARS IN EAST: 3
>> Facilitator: KELLY REGAN
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EAST QUARTERLY | EASTinitiative.org
T
he 19- 20 school year ended abruptly and no one knew what Summer 2020 would be like as the country watched the ebb and flow of COVID-19 cases. Arkansas leadership and educators were no stranger to the discussion regarding how to make classrooms safer in the fall in regards to social distancing. It is no surprise that EAST students were somewhere brainstorming on how to solve this problem we were all facing. Led by EAST facilitator for Harrison High School Conversion Charter, Kelly Regan, EAST students from Harrison Middle School and High School came together to make their classroom a little safer during the school year.
Where did the project idea originate? Liam: The idea originated for this project over the summer with the High School facilitator, Mrs. Kelly Regan. She (Kelly) was talking to us, Chloe and me, over the summer about how to provide an extra layer of protection for students when at the computers in class since commercially-made partitions are expensive. I was interested in building and designing the partition. Chloe — Regan’s daughter— wanted to help so we just kept talking and figured it out. Chloe: The goal of the project was to build PVC partitions with a clear plastic wall as a divider between close workspaces in the classroom so we could stay safer. Kelly: We are creating PVC partitions to use dividers between students in close seating situations in classrooms. Plexiglass partitions are expensive and budgets in school districts are tight. Our original design utilizes cheaper PVC pipe and clear vinyl sheeting to fit between computers to allow an additional layer of protection during the COVID-19 pandemic. Partitions will not keep students from having to wear masks or being sent home for quarantine due to close contact but our hope is that it will help keep those students healthy.
You began this project over the summer. Did you run into any challenges? What has kept you inspired in the process? Liam: The rising numbers are what keeps me inspired. Chloe: Since COVID numbers are rising in schools across the state, we are willing to continue this project so any teacher that would like to have partitions between their students for safety can have them. Kelly: The major challenge is that although recommended in the Ready for Learning Playbook, partitions like these will not keep students from wearing masks or being quarantined if determined to have been in close proximity. Building the partitions was not a priority for some so the rollout of the project has been slower than we anticipated.
Give us the details on the materials used? Did you have to build or test things multiple times? Kelly: Liam built the original partition based on the first set of measurements taken in the classroom. It was almost spot on! Only minor adjustments had to be made to level the partition out to sit on the tabletop where the computers are placed. Liam: The design has a component that reaches the floor but it
was decided to build a portion that rests on the tabletop in order to provide a barrier between the computers and out past the student’s chair.
Update us on the progress of the project since things were halted this summer? Liam: In the beginning, I worked on the project for two to three days over the summer before we felt we could not move forward. Chloe: It was just recently that the project started back up, and we decided to pull in Maddox and Jaxon to help build five more partitions. Kelly: We have been in contact with the Special Education department to see if they could use some of these style partitions on kidney-shaped tables in those classroom environments too.
So far, do you feel like your project has been successful? Group: Sort of! It gave us a sense of responsibility even though we couldn’t really complete it like we wanted to! Maddox: Taking on a project that could help keep other students from getting COVID, even if it won’t keep them from having to be quarantined; it still felt good. Jaxon: Yeah. Like it’s cool that some of the teachers at the high school are interested in the partitions. We hope that more will request them for their classrooms when work areas are closer than 6 feet. Chloe: We were just trying to think of other ways to help, like with our 3D printed ear savers.
You mentioned that the project gave you a sense of responsibility, what else has EAST done for you? Liam: EAST has helped me grow as a person. It has taught me how to take initiative and responsibility to complete tasks I find important. Instead of always asking for help, I will look up tutorials and other lessons to learn skills myself.
What do you want people outside of EAST to know about the project? Kelly: These partitions are an inexpensive way to provide an extra layer of protection during the pandemic.
SUMMER 2020 | EAST QUARTERLY
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An EAST Project From Star City High School The project’s goal is to remove metal and debris from our local state park lake, Cane Creek State Park and learn about the possible historical significance of items we are removing from the area.
H
ave you ever explored a place or begun a project somewhere and realized that there is more to this than people realize? For two students in EAST at Star City High School, it all started at Cane Creek State Park, where they spent much of their time boating and fishing. These students, John Anthony Logan and Ty Grayson, noticed lots of metal debris that washed up on the boat ramp or shore at the park. With a Magnet Fishing Kit in hand, the two students worked together to remove the lake’s metal debris. Many items were found at the bottom of the lake, but it was part of a railroad system that made the students dig deeper. According to their research, Star City has not had a functioning railroad system since 1959. After learning this, the students devised a plan to clean up the lake, learn about their findings, and document its history.
Where did the project idea originate?
MEET THE TEAM <<<<< >> John Anthony Logan GRADE: 11 YEARS IN EAST: 3
>> Ty Grayson
GRADE: 11 YEARS IN EAST: 1
>> Facilitator: LAUREN WHITE
John Anthony: We are both avid outdoorsmen and spend many days at Cane Creek State Park, where we boat and fish. Ty: We noticed the amount of metal debris that has washed up over time and how it blocks the boating ramps and shore. Lauren: I encouraged the boys to do a little more research to see what they could find out about the lake, and it has been fascinating. We found out the lake was purchased through eminent domain in the 1970s from farmers and their families and that the lake is bordered by Bayou Bartholomew, which is the longest bayou in the entire world.
What has kept you inspired to complete the project? Ty: At first, we were just excited about the opportunity to leave school and better our local State Park. We wanted to help provide a safer community area. John Anthony: Once we began removing the debris, we realized that some of the items told a story and that we could bring awareness to Lincoln County’s past if we looked at them more closely.
Have COVID-19 restrictions stopped your progress? John Anthony: One of our largest challenges was figuring out when we could complete this project. At the beginning of this year, students were not allowed to leave campus to work on projects. Ty: We wanted to try and change this policy, so we talked to our principal. John Anthony: Yeah, we made a “Leave Form” with the help of our facilitator, Mrs. (Lauren) White, that outlined all of the regulations we felt were fair. We set up a meeting with our principal and presented the reasons why we should be granted permission to work on projects away from school, along with the leave form. Ty: It was approved. John Anthony: Another challenge we had was our smaller magnets getting stuck to larger objects in the lake, and we were not able to remove them. We applied for a Donors Choose grant, which gifted us a magnet that lifts 1300 pounds. Ty: The magnet from the grant definitely helps us with removing the smaller magnets and pulling in larger objects. There was one instance where we couldn’t get the big magnet off of the debris. John Anthony: We had to get in the lake and dive for it.
a partner, Ty, who saw a need and was just as excited as me. Ty: The first time we tried it out (Magnetic Fishing), we had to learn to maneuver around the rocks because the magnets would get lodged between them, and it is extremely difficult to remove the magnet. If you can imagine, a long rope is attached to the magnet. We throw the magnet into the water and drag to pick up items on the lake floor. It got difficult sometimes, but we had to remember the goal and just work to figure it out! John Anthony: It allowed us to step back and take a look at the bigger picture. Not only are we helping to clean the lake, but we are also uncovering history from our city’s past that our county and city can benefit from. We knew we had to keep going no matter how often the magnets got stuck.
You mentioned that this project helped you see the ‘big picture.’ What else has EAST done for you? Lauren: John Anthony has been in EAST for three years, and this being Ty’s first year, he (Ty) is really loving what he is doing. He learns from John Anthony, but John Anthony also learns a little bit from him as they work together on this project. John Anthony: This project has helped us grow in the knowledge of our community’s past and our community involvement. We collaborate with Cane Creek State Park rangers when we find a new piece of metal that looks like something or we find something too heavy to pull out of the water. Ty: We have both learned to think outside of the box and have grown to believe more about our town. We have always seen Star City as just the city we live in, but now it’s more of an adventure in our own backyard.
John Anthony: Now, we are learning more about the city and its history, which is getting some excitement from members of the community. Ty: Many more people know about our project because our local newspaper, the Lincoln Ledger, ran an article last week highlighting our project. Since then, people have contacted our facilitator regarding good spots to drop the magnets.
What do you want people outside of EAST to know about the project? Lauren: Much of the small metal waste comes from fishermen. When their hooks and weights get hung, they usually lose the whole fishing line and all that is attached. Some people dump the metal into the lake during late hours, but it is like any other littering law, and the challenge is to catch violators. We are not in connection with our city officials but plan to contact them if we see a pattern in uncovering metal that is dumped like small metal debris that is lost by fishermen or lost articles by guests at the lake. Many people think that we are against people fishing and coming to the lake doing things that leave metal waste, but we encourage people to come out and spend time outdoors at the State Park and help clean up the lake to make it safer for everyone.
So far, do you feel the project has been successful? Ty: Yeah, I would say we have been successful. John Anthony: I actually started this project before school was released due to COVID-19 in the spring of last year (2019). Because all of our supplies were locked in the EAST closet, I didn’t get to work on it while we were out of school. I knew I wanted to start this project again and found SUMMER 2020 | EAST QUARTERLY
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VIRTUAL EVENT
SURVIVAL Program Coordinator for Phase Training, Alicia Humbard
Q: What is event planning?
A: The detailed coordination of an activity or series of activities for social or educational purposes. Typically marketed to a specific audience and promises to provide a unique experience to each audience segment.
WHEW!
That’s a mouthful. Take all of that and imagine doing it virtually! Many of us have, and most of us will continue to do so as we manage our new normal. We’ve learned best practices and even some of the worst practices, but the area we don’t talk about often is event recovery. A successful recovery actually starts before the event. How do we replenish our creative juices and the juices of our team? Here are some EAST staff suggestions on how they pivoted our in-person events to virtual and how they recovered from stimulation overload.
Meet The Ladies: Jessica Dunham - Director of Events Alicia Humbard - Program Coordinator for Phase Training
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What is EAST Phase Training? EAST Phase Training is unique to EAST; three sets of developmental and supportive training for EAST facilitators in the EAST network.
EAST QUARTERLY | EASTinitiative.org
BEFORE THE EVENT Build-in breaks when planning content. During Phase
Training, we planned a 10-minute break for every hour of live content. This training requires teachers to be on the screen all day. A little break goes a long way for everyone! Snacks & drinks, including some healthy options, are beneficial for both the planner and the attendee! Keep them in easy reach because you never know when a 30-minute meeting turns into a 2-hour conversation. Virtual meetings/events can get real awkward real quick - so plan out every minute - even the stuff that seems serendipitous (i.e., what you say in your welcome, the things you post in the chat, etc.)
During the event Aromatherapy is your friend! Pick up some of your favorite candles that you only burn on training days or heavy online meeting days. Relaxing scents help on those stressful days.
Take time to stretch. These will help relieve stress, as well
as neck, shoulder, and back pain. There are several stretches you can do right from your desk! For ultimate mental and physical health, you could even try building in a few minutes of exercise!
Put a plant or flower in your space. There’s something about a candle and greenery that create a cozy, welcoming space.
Gamification is a must! You wouldn’t want to attend or host a training or event that isn’t any fun to do—so incorporating fun elements should be a part of your content preparation.
Explore being hybrid. When possible, try to incorporate
the physical into the virtual. Having participants work with manipulatives you sent prior to the event (like themed stress balls or play-doh) or specialized handouts. Even if the transition from digital activity to tactile activity keeps the engagement high, writing things on a handout is a small change of pace that can help with online burnout for everyone.
The chat is your friend! You can post resource links, engage
with attendees (especially those who don’t want to speak up), recap what a speaker/presenter says - treat it almost like social media. Don’t forget to have a dedicated chat moderator (or two if the meeting is large)! This position is invaluable in creating an engaging experience.
Director of Events, Jessica Dunham
you sleep better, your concentration will improve, and your body will naturally reset after some downtime. Before the event, schedule some post-event pampering - a massage, pedicure, etc. Don’t wait until the event is over. This will give you something rewarding to look forward to, and it’s one less thing you have to remember to plan after an event. And there you have it, how to prep, execute, and recover after your virtual event! Take a moment and create your own for the next event and let us know how it goes!
Are you looking for some quick stretches to do? Check out these desk & chair yoga moves!
After the event Reflect and Debrief with a Brainstorm.
After an event it is easy to be overwhelmed with ideas about how to improve: the nuances, flow, best ideas, and all the pieces that didn’t quite work like you thought they might. Create a shared brainstorming document for you and your team to compile thoughts that become the foundation to enhance the future occasion! From attendees and participants more than ever, that feedback is SOOOOO important. How things are perceived is always important but how items are translated through the screen is even more important to know.
Celebrate - even the small victories. It’s easy to recall what went wrong and how to improve the next event, but don’t forget to celebrate what went right.
Take a “screencation” - an intentional break from screens (computer, phone, etc.) planned for a predetermined amount of time. It will be a different type of recharge! Researchers say
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#ISupportEAST You can make magic happen this year! While growing up as a young boy, Christian struggled to find where he belonged. After deciding to join the EAST Program at his school, his future changed drastically. Students gain confidence through the EAST Program, and the experience helps them reach their full potential. Today, Christian is working toward his Ph.D. at Kennesaw State University. As an EAST Alum, he remembers fondly how EAST inspired him to want to learn more, which put him on a path for success.
“EAST gave me the confidence to collaborate with other students on community service projects and taught me how to be innovative in finding solutions for needs in my community. I want others to know the power of EAST.� -Christian Canizales, 2015 EAST Alum When you support EAST, you help provide equipment for student training, grant opportunities to EAST Programs and expand the EAST Student Scholarship. Your gift will help EAST continue to transform schools and communities by empowering learners with technology, critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills, and engage them in positive, real-world experiences. We are all looking forward to a brighter year ahead!
You can give a gift to EAST by going to supportEAST.org. EAST Initiative is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (Tax ID# 71-0863568). Your gift is tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. 12
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THANK YOU
to all of our sponsors and supporters who help make EAST happen for students.
CAST
Center for Advanced Spatial Technologies
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EDUCATION UNLEASHED
UCA EAST STUDENT
SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE NOW!
Become a savvy parent with EAST’s support.
Join the EAST Education Unleashed Parent Support Program Today! Who
Visit the EAST website and apply today. eastlink.me/scholarship
Parents of school-age children
What This program allows parents to learn the foundation needed to successfully help their student with online learning while connecting to an organization that can support them long after training.
When Workshops begin January 2021
Where Registration is open! Visit EducationUnleashed.org