Identifying barriers to field based environmental education in K-8 public elementary schools in Arizona

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Description
The purpose of this case study was to explore the barriers, or constraints, to the integration of field-based environmental education (EE) programs in K-8 public elementary schools in Phoenix, Arizona. Research continues to show that field based EE programs improve

The purpose of this case study was to explore the barriers, or constraints, to the integration of field-based environmental education (EE) programs in K-8 public elementary schools in Phoenix, Arizona. Research continues to show that field based EE programs improve student outcomes (Bartosh, Tudor, Ferguson, & Taylor, 2006; Cole, 2007; James and Williams, 2017). Despite the empirical evidence, there appear to be obstacles to integrating field based EE into school curriculum. This study used Hierarchical Leisure Constraints Theory (HLCT) to identify and understand these constraints. There were 22 focus group participants and 13 interviewees from ten different schools and five school districts within the Phoenix area. Looking at the constraints identified by all participants, funding and the availability of transportation play a major role barring the use of field based EE programming. However, when applying HLCT, both of these barriers are structural in nature. This means these are constraints beyond the control of the individual but are negotiable. According to HLCT, you must first understand intrapersonal and interpersonal constraints and the effect they have on overcoming barriers. This study found that perception and prior knowledge emerged as the root of most constraints. In other words, while structural constraints are named as the primary issue in integrating field based EE in public schools, this study concludes from the findings that human nature and human values influence whether teachers and administrators participate in field based programming with their students.
Date Created
2019
Agent

Give Back Phoenix: A Special Event to Showcase and Celebrate Non-Profit Organizations

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Description
The purpose of this creative project was to spread awareness about the work of various non-profit organizations in the Phoenix community while allowing the public to immediately get involved in their missions. This project was manifested through Give Back Phoenix,

The purpose of this creative project was to spread awareness about the work of various non-profit organizations in the Phoenix community while allowing the public to immediately get involved in their missions. This project was manifested through Give Back Phoenix, which was held on February 2nd, 2019. Give Back Phoenix had three goals: to serve non-profit organizations in the community, to allow community members to experience giving back in a fun and hands-on way, and to help community members connect with organizations for future volunteer opportunities and long-term volunteering commitments.
Date Created
2019-05
Agent

Cultural Perceptions of Leisure and Well-being in Rock Climbing Communities of Peru and Arizona, USA

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Description
In December of 2015, I made my way to rural Peru for a few weeks, my first visit to South America. While I was there, I observed a devotion to family and leisure activity, topics that were not heavily prioritized

In December of 2015, I made my way to rural Peru for a few weeks, my first visit to South America. While I was there, I observed a devotion to family and leisure activity, topics that were not heavily prioritized in my experience in Arizona. Upon my return, I became more involved in leisure activities, particularly running, hiking, yoga, and climbing. These involvements noticeably benefitted my health and well-being. The way the Peruvians I met prioritized these subjects fascinated me, and I wanted to study this difference between Arizona and Peru. In July of 2017, I returned to Peru for a semester abroad with my bags packed and the following research questions: 1) Are differences in motivation for rock climbing between Arizona and Peruvian climbers associated with cultural values? 2) Do leisure activities and the amount of time spent on them have an effect on quality of life? 3) Does the degree of climbing specialization impact perceptions of well-being? 4) What characteristics impact perceptions of quality of life among climbers? Are these characteristics affected by country of origin? My prediction was that Peruvians had higher quality of life due to their emphasis on leisure. Through this study, I learned that this conclusion was not as simple as I anticipated.
Date Created
2019-05
Agent

Running a Charitable Organization While Navigating Regulations Within an Academic Institution

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Description
In this creative project, our goal was to establish a student lead service organization dedicated to raising money and awareness for a selected medical issue through an interactive carnival event. In doing so, we were able to identify the potential

In this creative project, our goal was to establish a student lead service organization dedicated to raising money and awareness for a selected medical issue through an interactive carnival event. In doing so, we were able to identify the potential obstacles and pathways that are required for service organizations within Arizona State University. Our experience provides a guideline for future students looking to organize charitable events on campus. This paper discusses several essential skills for running a charitable student organization, including establishing a brand, managing finances, cultivating business relationships, and marketing the cause. It is our hope that future students can learn from our experience and find success in similar endeavors.
Date Created
2018-05
Agent

IRONMAN: An Analysis of the Race Series and Brand

Description
The inspiration behind my thesis comes from my third grade teacher who completed numerous Ironman races. In third grade, I decided that one day I would complete an Ironman too. Thus, for my thesis I studied the Ironman race series

The inspiration behind my thesis comes from my third grade teacher who completed numerous Ironman races. In third grade, I decided that one day I would complete an Ironman too. Thus, for my thesis I studied the Ironman race series and analyzed the power of the Ironman brand. In addition to researching Ironman, I experienced the essence of Ironman first hand by completing an Ironman 70.3 race. My thesis documents the history of Ironman and how one small race in Hawaii has grown to over 242 races held worldwide. It describes the types of people who complete in Ironman races and the demographics of competitors. Through my research, I concluded that the brand power of Ironman is what makes the race series so strong. I attributed the following five categories to the success of Ironman: Quality Differentiation, Brand Development, Exclusivity, Media Relations, and Partnerships and Products. Additionally, I researched competing triathlon race series and concluded that they just cannot compete with the Ironman brand. Participants even state that they would not propel themselves across 140.6 total miles of water, pavement, and trail if they cannot attach "Ironman" to their name. Therefore, Ironman has a strong hold on the triathlon industry and continues to grow at a rate of 20% each year. In order to fully experience the quality, organization, and inspiration of Ironman, I registered for an Ironman 70.3 race in Oceanside, California. For the past year, I have experienced the struggles and triumphs of athletes training for an Ironman race. I have sacrificed things such as sleep, free time, and a social life in order to fully experience what athletes go through to train for an Ironman event.
Date Created
2016-05
Agent

Adaptive Curriculum in the Outdoor Classroom

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Description
I conducted a qualitative creative project that observed innovative and adaptable curriculum at Tonto Creek Camp in Payson, Arizona. The creative project has been a collective, collaborative, and continuous process and celebration between myself, Arizona State University and Tonto Creek

I conducted a qualitative creative project that observed innovative and adaptable curriculum at Tonto Creek Camp in Payson, Arizona. The creative project has been a collective, collaborative, and continuous process and celebration between myself, Arizona State University and Tonto Creek Camp. My introduction started in a PRM 304 class with Dr. Wendy Hultsman. One of our first projects took place at Tonto Creek Camp. This inclusive project involved restoration of some of the trailheads and nature preservation around the camp's grounds. As a class, we developed various project proposals including the layout, design and budgets for each project. Further, I was introduced to CEO and Founder Tom Fraker and Program Manager Chris Piccirillo to begin the creative project process. There were many goals that were completed with this project, including: assessing the camp's grounds to determine what was needed in order to meet their grants' needs, planning and designing the outline of how the new structures were going to come to life, and implementing the proposed project ideas, including writing a curriculum. Once designs were in place, I proceeded to intern with the camp as an Educational Field Instructor in order to learn and teach curriculum content for the various schools and organizations that came up each week. There are many benefits to outdoor curriculum, especially to populations who do not learn successful in a traditional indoor setting. By integrating my teaching and recreation therapy background I was able to tailor certain existing and new curricula to meet the adaptive needs of all who come to participate at Tonto Creek Camp. Keywords: adaptable curriculum, curriculum writing, recreation therapy, outdoor classroom
Date Created
2016-12
Agent

Study Break

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Description
This creative project aimed to combine knowledge, qualifications, and experience in networking and marketing to host a live music event. As a social media industry employee, an avid concertgoer, and a digital marketer, I felt sufficiently able to complete this

This creative project aimed to combine knowledge, qualifications, and experience in networking and marketing to host a live music event. As a social media industry employee, an avid concertgoer, and a digital marketer, I felt sufficiently able to complete this task. The process included working within the Barrett budget to secure a venue and acts with the option of paid marketing for the event. Once I secured The Graduate Hotel and three acts— bands Study Habit and Moose Titans and DJ/emcee Malcolm Alexndr—it was time to publicize the event. I found a photographer and organized a photo shoot then created social media profiles and a website with these photos. In total, the attendance was roughly 100 people, and the night was a smash success.

Keywords: event planning, social media, music
Date Created
2017-05
Agent

DERBY DEVILS: THE CREATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF A COLLEGIATE ROLLER DERBY TEAM

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Description
The Roller Derby Club at Arizona State University became a student organization in the fall of 2013. They became a practicing team known as the Derby Devils in the spring of 2014. This project documents the creation and development a

The Roller Derby Club at Arizona State University became a student organization in the fall of 2013. They became a practicing team known as the Derby Devils in the spring of 2014. This project documents the creation and development a collegiate roller derby team as they go from a student organization to an athletic team. Collegiate roller derby is still in its infant stages and therefore the purpose of this project is to provide a guide for future collegiate roller derby teams as well as other athletic teams.
Date Created
2014-12
Agent

AZ Hype Hip Hop Squad Public Relations Campaign

Description
Dance studios often have a high tuition rates, which makes learning technique from a dance school difficult to attain. For AZ Hype Hip Hop Squad no circumstance can keep them from dancing. This 14-year-old team has made their mark in

Dance studios often have a high tuition rates, which makes learning technique from a dance school difficult to attain. For AZ Hype Hip Hop Squad no circumstance can keep them from dancing. This 14-year-old team has made their mark in dance competitions nationwide. The only problem is: this nationally ranked team lingers unrecognized. AZ Hype is a non-profit dance team that practices wherever they can find a space. They practice anywhere from school cafeterias to driveways, parks to backyards and parking lots. What gives this team their competitive edge is that nothing keeps them from dancing and they draw inspiration from outside of the walls of a studio. The team consists of 18 to 30 dancers each year and is divided into two age groups; a junior and senior team. The dancers range from six to 25 years of age. The team has one coach, one stereo and a room full of trophies and championship banners. The coach, Tara Delgado, is a 5th grade history teacher who has been coaching AZ Hype for 14 consecutive years. She continues to teach and inspire kids in the Valley. Though years go by her personal dance skills and creativity to choreograph and mix music strengthens and improves. She is more than just a dance coach to the kids who make her house their home. A public relations campaign for AZ Hype Hip Hop Squad was created to benefit the team in many ways. For the duration of the team's existence, they did not have a website, social media management, community support, sponsors, practice space, or any news media connections. The goal of the campaign is to gain exposure but also gather sponsors to lift the burdening costs of competitions, uniforms and practice spaces. The plan would serve as an outline to utilize social media, reach out to local media and contact various dance and youth supporters. In this campaign, testimonials have been gathered to uncover the true need and impact of the dance team. Without schools teaching dance or other performing arts, many youths lose out on the opportunity to ever learn. In addition to research, collateral material will be made and used for marketing and information as well as a strategic fundraising and branding plan. This plan will encourage and help implement the transition from a group of dancers to a 501c(3) nonprofit.
Date Created
2014-12

THE ADVISOR ROLE: SIGNIFICANT FIRST PURCHASES MADE BY COUPLES

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Description
While I was brainstorming topics for my thesis project I came across the idea to look at weddings and specifically the wedding planning industry. It is an industry where very little research exists. It is important for the future of

While I was brainstorming topics for my thesis project I came across the idea to look at weddings and specifically the wedding planning industry. It is an industry where very little research exists. It is important for the future of the industry to have some academic studies done on the wedding planning industry. When I started this project I was looking to find out about the characteristics of wedding satisfaction from a client perspective versus the planner's perspective and what deems a successful wedding planner. This could provide valuable insight while possibly shedding light on why some couples use a wedding planner and others do not. The research questions I will try to answer through the survey are: what are the characteristics of wedding satisfaction from a client perspective versus the planner's perspective and what deems a successful wedding planner from the client perspective versus the planner's perspective. I researched the industry and created a survey that was sent to a group of 15 planners. I hoped to get permission to send my survey to four to six previous clients from each planner. The list of wedding planners came from a board member of the International Special Events Society. If all surveys had been completed it would have given me a client pool of 60 to 80 couples. The problem was that none of the planners were willing to share the client survey with their clients. Therefore, I could not obtain a sufficient number of couples that had previously used wedding planners. I attempted to contact organizations that would have access to brides. I also attempted to reach out on Facebook and through email lists to married people who used wedding planners. None of these methods proved successful in amassing a sufficient number of individuals who used planners for their wedding. The project evolved into an analysis of the assistance options couples have to make big purchases like a wedding and a house. The amount spent on these big purchases varies as well as the time couples have to pay for them. There is also great variation in the kinds of resource's couples have to advise them before making these larger purchases. For example, when a couple is planning their wedding they can hire a wedding planner to assist them or do research on blogs and rely on parents and friends for help and assistance. When a couple prepares to buy a house (or another type of real estate) they will often hire a realtor. There are some resources online for the few couples that choose not to use a realtor, however, at some point they may need to seek a professional to assist with the legal documents. The inspiration behind this thesis was to begin academic research on a young industry where there was none. The profession of "wedding planning" is very new. There is no traditional academic research on the wedding planner as a profession. When the initial surveys and planners did not receive the kind of participation and cooperation needed it was disappointing that this project could not shed light on this young industry. The evolution of this project into a comparison between realtors and wedding planners suggested the potential of where the wedding planning as a profession could be was brought to light. If wedding planners and wedding planning as a profession could evolve to a place of necessity similar to purchasing a house the profession could gain validation and grow. At some point in that evolution, hopefully the profession would be in a better place for academic research and the individuals in the profession may be in a place to be more open to assist in that research. Ultimately getting to the place where a wedding planner is seen as necessary should be the goal for this profession. The amount of money spent, the emotional importance of the commitment and the legal promises involved in having a wedding creates that need but many people do not know this. Couples know very little about the individual costs that make up a wedding. A key problem with this is that it creates disconnect between couples expectations and budgets. If wedding planners could, through their marketing and other efforts, communicate with potential clients that a wedding planner is not a luxury, but a necessity, it would help insure emotional satisfaction and protect the financial investment of the couple and their family.
Date Created
2015-05