Overview
In this project, students utilized the NC Foothills Experience tool, a resource providing information on quality of life indicators in the four-county region. They researched and designed custom local visits for their class while documenting their experiences to optimize and market the tool to the local population, attract outside visitors, and potential new residents. The project’s outcome included a community presentation and enhanced marketing materials to boost economic development, support educational opportunities, and encourage population growth.
Partners
Driving Question
How do students share their experience to market the Foothills Experience tool to help economic vitality?
Process
The process unfolded through milestones, starting with introducing their family heritage and understanding the project’s objectives. They organized field trips, created compelling presentations, and presented their experiences to a public audience. They embarked on field trips to significant locations, documenting their adventures. The culmination included incorporating their experiences into marketing videos and analyzing the project’s success. The journey concluded with well-deserved awards during the 8th-grade graduation event. Throughout, students showcased their dedication and passion for promoting the vibrant essence of the NC Foothills region.
Milestones
- Milestone 1: Introducing their family heritage artifacts and history in Caldwell County.
- Milestone 2: Familiarizing themselves with the WPCG NC Foothills Experience Tool and the project’s objectives.
- Milestone 3: Organizing field trips in groups of three according to the rubric provided.
- Milestone 4: Creating and delivering presentations about their unique experiences and research.
- Milestone 5: Presenting to a board of CCC&TI and WPCOG representatives, with the highest graded presentation becoming the class field trip for the Pro-BL project.
- Milestone 6: Embarking on the field trip to three significant locations with historical, cultural, and recreational value, documenting their experiences through video interviews and classroom discussions.
- Milestone 7: Incorporating their field trip experiences into a marketing video and a WPCOG video, which were presented at the community day event.
- Milestone 8: Debriefing with WPCOG and CCC&TI to analyze the project’s success and explore ways to improve and implement new ideas.
- Milestone 9: Awarding the winning students with certificates during the 8th-grade graduation event.
See the Project Calendar
Problem / Challenge
The challenge for this project was to optimize and market the NC Foothills Experience tool to the local population, attract outside visitors, and potentially generate new residents. The students needed to research and create a custom and meaningful local field trip while documenting their experiences.
Skills and Content Development
Throughout the project, students honed various skills, including research, presentation, public speaking, team building, collaboration, time management, budget management, geography, Caldwell County history, and using digital tools. They learned to read maps on a GIS interface, communicate effectively, plan, sell their experiences, and build confidence in themselves.
Field Experiences
The field experiences were vital to the project as students explored and documented for integration into the NC Foothills Experience. They visited Fort Defiance, Broyhill Park, and Mulberry Recreation Center, recording videos and taking photos to enrich the website. These immersive visits deepened their understanding of the region’s heritage, attractions, and recreational offerings, contributing to a comprehensive representation of the area. Ultimately, their efforts enhanced the NC Foothills Experience tool, inspiring both local residents and potential visitors.
Final Products
Marketing Video:
As a result of their efforts, the students created a marketing video to showcase their experiences in Caldwell County (see above), supporting the promotion of the NC Foothills Experience. They also offered valuable suggestions to enhance the website, such as incorporating an education tab for all schools and childcare locations and an art sculpture tab to create an art trail.
Presentation:
As part of the final products, students also created a compelling presentation that featured information about a field site they visited. Their presentation skills were evaluated, taking into account factors such as clear and confident speaking, active participation from every group member, maintaining eye contact with the audience, and displaying positive body language. The presentation offered students the opportunity to showcase the depth of their experiences in a professional manner to a large audience.
See Project Presentation Rubric
