Megan McCormick and Shenais Bock

McCormick and Bock collaborated to develop the winning program, "From Barnyard to Schoolyard". The program, which integrates a new thematic life science unit into the school's current math curriculum, provides students with real-life opportunities to explore the local farming community and engage in hands-on experimentation. Using Oregon Science Standards as a guide, students will demonstrate their understanding of the relationship between living organisms and their environment by forming hypotheses, investigating, and presenting conclusions based on data they've collected. Students will participate in field trips as well as activities they can do at home and at school. Initially, about 60 first graders at Jennings Lodge Elementary School will benefit from the project. However, the visual aids, scientific equipment, literature and other items derived from the project can potentially help countless more in the future. The effectiveness of the program will be determined by comparing the differences between pre- and post-assessment results. This will ensure that students have mastered the objectives for each unit of study. McCormick and Bock live in Portland.