by Chris McCart, introduced by Barbara Dixson
Each semester, students in Dr. Chris McCart’s environmental education and interpretation practicum create signs to post around Schmeeckle Reserve to invite passers-by into yet another dimension of this magical space. Up now on the Trail of Reflections: glimpses of forest homes.
The signs from the spring semester (pictured below) were on the theme of “Schmeeckle provides a refuge for many animals to make their home.” It was under the leadership of senior practicum students Grace Henes and Lana Podoski.
Project goals:
- Practice planning, designing in InDesign, printing, and fabricating a quality interpretive sign on a Schmeeckle natural or cultural history topic that will be posted on the Trail of Reflections at Schmeeckle Reserve until late fall 2024.
- To work on a collaborative team with 1-2 designated leaders to create a Discovery Trail Media Plan and a unified theme and design across signs.
- To support Schmeeckle Reserve’s Mission of Refuge, Research, Education and Recreation.
- To have a work example for your resume or portfolio.
There’s that saying “We stand on the shoulders of giants.” (attributed to Sir Isaac Newton). Each semester the practicum students build on the ideas of the previous group, and their signs have become even better designed and more interpretive and engaging.
This semester, the sign project leader is Cameron Collins. He will be leading the noble team of nine practicum students through the process of identifying an overall theme, then individual subthemes and messages for their individual signs that will go on the Reflection Trail/Trail of Discovery.
Practicum would like to thank Jim Buchholz and Melissa Ruether, Griffin Bray and Alex Mentele, and the Friends of Schmeeckle Reserve for their continued support of our fledgling naturalists. It takes a village!
Pictured above: Tom Mortenson. Tom is, among other things, an outstanding photographer whose photographs have been included and honored in the annual Friends Writing, Art, and Photography contests.
