April 22, 2013 (Earth Day)
Landscape Architecture Presentation on Earth Day at Hawks Rise Elementary School
Tallahassee , FL
David Malcolm, ASLA
Landscape Architecture was the topic as 5th grade class at Hawk's Rise Elementary School participated in presentation
Landscape Architecture was the topic on Earth Day as the entire 5th grade class at Hawk's Rise Elementary School participated in an interactive presentation, provided by members of the Florida Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects. The classes gathered in the cafeteria and sat at tables while Patrice Hanulak, ASLA and David Malcolm, ASLA gave a graphic presentation of Earth Day and explained the history and importance of this environmental holiday. Over 150 fifth graders and their teachers learned about the origins of the holiday and how widespread its focus has become over the decades. "Reducing pollution, saving open space, protecting natural features, are just a few of the focus points, which many groups and individuals participate in to raise awareness,” explained David Malcolm. Several students were eager to participate in answering questions about many of the events in which they will participate in this week. Everything from planting trees, cleaning up trash and increasing recycling activities, were just a few mentioned. Patrice Hanulak transitioned the discussion toward the profession of Landscape Architecture by explaining how students could focus their careers doing things like "planning environmental places, designing park land and preserving trees and vegetation on sites.” Hanulak showed beautiful images of resorts, parks, campuses, gardens, neighborhoods and open spaces, which have all been designed by Landscape Architects. Hanulak encouraged the students to think of places that they go every day such as, "neighborhoods, schools, and shopping centers, are all places that Landscape Architects work to make a difference by making them comfortable places which are beautiful and that add environmental qualities.” Stormwater ponds, streetscapes, trails and walkways were a few elements identified by the students in which they see everyday as they arrive to their school campus – all items designed by Landscape Architects. Keeping the presentation interactive, students were given the opportunity to design a school – park at the elementary school campus. 30 groups were formed and each one worked together to list out park program elements and then illustrate the features on maps of the school campus. For 10 minutes each group worked quickly to generate their ideas and draw on the maps. David, Patrice and teachers walked around and worked with each group and encouraged them to think about ways to improve the campus. One student group focused on a new active recreation design while another was interested in passive / environmental features. "I can't fit it all within the space”, explained one team member as she tried to place all her elements on the map. "It's all about balancing the needs and what the site can handle,” coached Malcolm. Later, three of the groups presented their plans on stage and discussed how each one was different. The presentation wrapped up as prizes were handed out, provided by Keep Tallahassee-Leon County Beautiful and Porter Paints, to the students who successfully answered pop-quiz questions about what they learned during events. All the students received wildflower seeds to plant in honor of Earth Day, provided by Florida Wildflower Foundation, and were encourage to use their new skills to find the perfect place to sew the seeds.
David Malcolm, ASLA, is a member of the Florida Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects, is currently the Tallahassee Section Chairman and is a Vice-President with WPi, a Landscape Architecture firm. To learn more about Landscape Architecture in the state of Florida, visit www.flasla.org
