Kimberleigh Geistweidt
LEGACY PROJECT
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For my cooperating center project I chose to use class time with my Applied Agricultural Science and Technology, Equine Science, and my Advanced Floral Design classes to construct a tiered landscaping bed. This project allowed for all of the classes to be involved in the design, construction, and maintenance of the project. After discussing the needs of the Agricultural Science program the cooperating teachers and I decided the best legacy project would be for beautification of the new facilities and for erosion prevention. The school recently moved into an brand new facility and the buildings were constructed, but the landscaping was not part of the construction plans.
The project was to utilize the face of the building and to draw attention to the facility and to tie it into the high school. The students learned how to survey the land using a sighting level, tripod, and stadia rod. This was a skill that students can use in their futures if they choose to pursue a career in the field. Students were able to understand the importance of proper drainage and plant selection and placement based on needs. We spent time measuring the area, laying out the grounds, and designing the tiers. We spent time designing and researching the possibilities of how many tiers and what width they should be. We analyzed the amount of shade and during what time of the day the area would receive full sun. The project allowed for our students to leave their mark on their school and the compliments received from their work is something to be proud of. Their was quite a lot of manual labor required from removing dirt, to leveling the ground, to laying pavers stones, and even proper planting and placement of plants. Along the lines of erosion prevention we had two downspouts form the gutters that poured out on the slope on the face of the building. The area was 50 feet by 20 feet and sloped toward the road at almost a 45 degree angle.
The fountain that was used in the tiered bed was purchased by the junior class several years ago to serve as a memorial to a member of the class Tyler Varvel who died. Tyler's mother works for the school and was even in tears when she saw our completed project and said that she could not think of a better place for the fountain to be. The fountain is a key structure and it allows for an element of grace and beauty to be added to the project. The project is going to serve a a part of the outdoor classroom which will hopefully be constructed in the near future. Having the student be involved in the project gives them an extra incentive to make sure it is well maintained and also provides the possibility of SAE projects for students which can not afford the cost of an animal project.
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Before the project began the building had serious erosion problems. 50 feet by 20 feet with a 45 degree slope. |
| Students working hard removing excess dirt. Laying out the tiers and learning the benefits of everyone pitching in. Myself and the cooperating teacher leading by example. |
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The finished product a
four tiered landscaping bed.
Materials included:
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