Impact Plan
| William Adkins Knowingdog Studio |
The Balance of Nature features the creation of kinetic (mobile) sculpture as a metaphor for the “Balance of
Nature”. Students and community groups will create a series of hanging mobiles that illustrate the intricate
balance of nature and man’s obligation as stewards of our planet. These mobiles will present our natural
resources; animals, plant life and minerals as a kinetic, interactive work of art that illustrates how even the
slightest change in any of these parts can dramatically impact the whole.
A variety of mobiles will be created. Individual students will create smaller versions in the classroom while larger
groups of students, teachers, parents and other members of the Dallas community of Oak Cliff will create more
substantial sculptures to be installed throughout the school and community. These larger installations will
include didactic components that inform visitors by sharing my experience in Costa Rica and promoting the
objectives of the Toyota International Teacher Program.
The first large scale mobile will be a collaborative project that will include students and teachers in Math,
Science, Language Arts, Social Studies, Technology and the Arts. When completed, it will be presented to the
public during a Community Celebration that includes other collaborative projects related to my experience in
Costa Rica.
During this Celebration, our Science students will present a display that compares and contrasts the ecological
aspects of Costa Rica with their own here in Dallas. Math students will create and present probability charts
that consider time lines and future results of human actions on the earth. And, of course, a complete
consideration of the Costa Rica must include a study of the Rain Forest and Central American Culture.
Therefore, Biology students will prepare a visual display illustrating the unique animal, plant life of Costa Rica
while Chemistry and Geography students consider the unique mineral recourses of the area. Social Studies
students will research the Aztec, Mayan and Incan Cultures before preparing displays and performances that
highlight the beautiful and mysterious qualities of these ancient civilizations. Finally, Technology students will
document my Impact Plan by creating an interactive website. These, of course, are just budding plans which will
surely be revised and include many other project ideas inspired by my personal experience in Costa Rica.
In the past I have used my travel experience as a catalyst for innovative teaching. Following my Fulbright
Memorial Fund experience, I created a video documentary of my experience. I will, once again, create a similar
video that will highlight the unique and valuable experience offered to educators through the Toyota
International Teacher Program. This video will be presented in the classroom as well as other public
presentations of my Impact Plan including the Community Celebration.
My Impact Plan goes well beyond both the classroom and the school, however. I intend to incorporate the
“Balance of Nature” mobile into my PEAK program. This community based prevention program reaches out into
the community promoting collaboration among the schools, businesses, community groups and families in the
development of our youth. Through PEAK, members of our Dallas community of all ages will work together to
create their own “Toyota Balance of Nature” mobiles. These mobiles will then be installed in various venues in
our community which might include libraries, community centers, government buildings, etc. Each year, a new
mobile will be created in the PEAK summer program and presented to the community during PEAK’s End of
Summer Celebration. You may learn more about PEAK at www.peaktexas.org.
Nature”. Students and community groups will create a series of hanging mobiles that illustrate the intricate
balance of nature and man’s obligation as stewards of our planet. These mobiles will present our natural
resources; animals, plant life and minerals as a kinetic, interactive work of art that illustrates how even the
slightest change in any of these parts can dramatically impact the whole.
A variety of mobiles will be created. Individual students will create smaller versions in the classroom while larger
groups of students, teachers, parents and other members of the Dallas community of Oak Cliff will create more
substantial sculptures to be installed throughout the school and community. These larger installations will
include didactic components that inform visitors by sharing my experience in Costa Rica and promoting the
objectives of the Toyota International Teacher Program.
The first large scale mobile will be a collaborative project that will include students and teachers in Math,
Science, Language Arts, Social Studies, Technology and the Arts. When completed, it will be presented to the
public during a Community Celebration that includes other collaborative projects related to my experience in
Costa Rica.
During this Celebration, our Science students will present a display that compares and contrasts the ecological
aspects of Costa Rica with their own here in Dallas. Math students will create and present probability charts
that consider time lines and future results of human actions on the earth. And, of course, a complete
consideration of the Costa Rica must include a study of the Rain Forest and Central American Culture.
Therefore, Biology students will prepare a visual display illustrating the unique animal, plant life of Costa Rica
while Chemistry and Geography students consider the unique mineral recourses of the area. Social Studies
students will research the Aztec, Mayan and Incan Cultures before preparing displays and performances that
highlight the beautiful and mysterious qualities of these ancient civilizations. Finally, Technology students will
document my Impact Plan by creating an interactive website. These, of course, are just budding plans which will
surely be revised and include many other project ideas inspired by my personal experience in Costa Rica.
In the past I have used my travel experience as a catalyst for innovative teaching. Following my Fulbright
Memorial Fund experience, I created a video documentary of my experience. I will, once again, create a similar
video that will highlight the unique and valuable experience offered to educators through the Toyota
International Teacher Program. This video will be presented in the classroom as well as other public
presentations of my Impact Plan including the Community Celebration.
My Impact Plan goes well beyond both the classroom and the school, however. I intend to incorporate the
“Balance of Nature” mobile into my PEAK program. This community based prevention program reaches out into
the community promoting collaboration among the schools, businesses, community groups and families in the
development of our youth. Through PEAK, members of our Dallas community of all ages will work together to
create their own “Toyota Balance of Nature” mobiles. These mobiles will then be installed in various venues in
our community which might include libraries, community centers, government buildings, etc. Each year, a new
mobile will be created in the PEAK summer program and presented to the community during PEAK’s End of
Summer Celebration. You may learn more about PEAK at www.peaktexas.org.
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