​Business Partner Challenge #1:

​How can we welcome new residents to Ottawa County Parks while introducing them to park and trail etiquette?

Our experience . . .
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     "FuturePrep'd was a fantastic experience.  The process is brilliantly set up to draw creativity and problem solving out of students in a fun and collaborative way.  Students were stretched as a result and found solutions they could be proud of." ~ B. DePotty, Educator

     "I learned how to adjust and come up with answers to a problem and find out the process that goes into it."   Riley Middle School Student
  
Click here for Team Ottawa County Park's journey on Padlet.

Business Partner Challenge #2:

​How might we inspire all members of the community to visit Hemlock Crossing Park? 

Our experience . . .
     "PBL has been a great experience for students/kids that I have worked with.  They love that it's hands-on project-based learning where they drive which direction their learning goes and get to decide how they present their results.  PBL is very engaging and helps the students build their skills with compromising, working in a team, and learning to build connections with their communities." ~ M. Sanborn, Educator

    "I so enjoyed providing students with the opportunity to engage with (and a sense of ownership of) a different part of the community." ~ M. Ushman, Educator
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​Click below for the Ottawa County - Hemlock Crossing teams' journey on Padlet.
Padlet #1 & Padlet #2

Business Partner Challenge #3:

​How can we “grow” community knowledge about the native plants at Grand River Park?

Our experience . . .
    "I think our whole team could agree that we've always enjoyed Ottawa County Parks, but this PBL work allowed us to experience the park in a new way! We looked at the park with a completely different view than we normally did. Specifically, we learned a lot about the plants at the park - things I never looked at closely before."  ~ N. Treffers, Educator

    "It was such a rewarding experience working with our group of students at the Grand River Park to find ways to grow knowledge about native plants.  By exploring the beautiful trails to photograph the plants, researching native plants in Michigan, and interviewing one of the park employees, our students quickly became experts on the importance of planting native plants and were eager to share what they learned with our community."  ~  S. Lema, Educator

    "It was really fun getting to think of a bunch of ideas and combine our ideas together.  I enjoyed seeing familiar friends and meeting new people.  I found the topic interesting and liked exploring the park and taking pictures of the plants."  ~ Student Participant
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Click below for Ottawa County - Grand River Park teams' journey on Padlet.
Padlet #1, Padlet #2, & Padlet #3

Business Partner Challenge #4:

​How can we educate visitors about Tunnel Park?

Our experience . . .
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​     "I'm proud of our solution."   ~ Ivan, Student

     "My favorite part was doing the skit."  ~ Rory, Student

     "How isn't this here already? Good job!"  ~ Participant's Parent

Click below for Ottawa County - Tunnel Park teams' journey on Padlet.
Padlet #1 & Padlet #2

Business Partner Challenge #5:

How can middle school students help the Ottawa County Parks Department manage neighborhood yard waste in parks?  

Our experience . . .

     "I'm sad today is our last day. This has been so fun to work with the Ottawa County Parks."  ~ Tierney, MS Student

     "You guys have come up with a lot of great ideas. I am excited to see the final presentation". ~  Nauhel, Ottawa County Parks Employee

     "I like this. Presenting to the high schoolers made me feel professional. Like what we're doing matters and they can see all the hard work we put in!" ~  MS Student

Business Partner Challenge #6:

​How can we make the trails at Grand River Park more interactive and fun.

Our experience . . .

     "Our daughter came home each day after camp and was so excited to share her ideas!"  ~ Pam, Parent of Participant

     "I think this was a great opportunity for students to share their creativity and problem solving skills in an authentic environment."  ~ Jenna, Educator 

     "I think we did a really good job! We were prepared and had answers for all of the audience's questions. They laughed a lot and I think they really liked our idea." ~  Emmalynn, Student

Click below for Ottawa County - Grand River Park teams' journey on Padlet.
Padlet #1, Padlet #2, Padlet #3

Business Partner Challenge #7:

​What does Hemlock Crossing need to do to make a more EPIC experience for all visitors?

Our experience . . .

     "It was amazing to see how the group came together in such a short time. We were especially impressed with those who didn't know anyone in the group and how brave they were in coming up with and sharing ideas. We were so lucky to have a group with a wide range of individual strengths and that worked so well together. We had the first day jitters but as soon as we saw the enthusiasm and excitement the kids brought for anything we had lots of fun." ~ Dan Stranberg, Educator

     "Thank you for the updates and letting us see the journey! It is so fun as a parent to see this." ~ Parent of Participant

     "I like how you let kids use their ideas to make changes to the park!" ~ Hayley, Student

​Click below for the Ottawa County - Hemlock Crossing teams' journey on Padlet.
Padlet #1, Padlet #2, & Padlet #3

Business Partner Challenge #8:

How can we encourage people to use ALL areas of Tunnel Park?

Our experience    . . .

      "I liked that they all clapped for us!" ~ Trenton
 
      "I was thrilled to hear about this opportunity for my son. He doesn't love sports so it can be hard to find something that he finds fun and challenging. He came home excited every day." ~ Janna, Parent of Participant

     "My favorite parts are probably getting to solve a problem and getting to be outside.  I wouldn't change anything." ~  Ava, Student

Click below for Ottawa County - Tunnel Park teams' journey on Padlet.
Padlet #1, Padlet #2, Padlet #3

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