Teacher: Patti Young

School: Manzanola School

District: 3J

Website: https://manzanola.k12.co.us

Address: 32475 County Rd. 11.5, Manzanola, CO 81058

Grade Level: 5th grade - All subjects

Region: Southeast

Project Title: Entertaining Education

Category: Field Trips & Outdoor Learning

Funding Amount Requested: $1800

Project Description:
I would like to give my students field trips and cultural experiences to increase their understanding and knowledge of life outside of Manzanola, CO. Manzanola is a rural farming community that lies along the lower Arkansas River Valley. This small town, of approximately 600 people, used to be known for its fruit and vegetable production. Unfortunately, as the life blood of the Arkansas Valley (WATER) has been sold to large cities, our rural community has suffered, as have neighboring communities. What does this have to do with school, you may ask? Well, it has created extreme poverty for this southeastern Colorado region. Many small businesses have closed their doors, as there is just not the money to keep them going. Families are struggling financially, and drug abuse and mental health issues plague many of my students' families. I want more for my students!

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Impact:
If I were awarded a Nathan Yip Foundation Grant, I would like to take my students on field trips and give them cultural experiences that they may never have. I believe these field trips and cultural experiences would help broaden their knowledge and increase their understanding of life outside of Manzanola. I believe these experiences would strengthen students' cultural awareness, as well as inspire them to dream and realize they can become and do anything they set their mind to do/become. Also, I believe these experiences will increase my students' knowledge in all of the STEAM fields.