Philosophy & History

Philosophy

Powerful learning occurs when:

• Students are immersed in real world environments for an entire week
• Teachers take ownership of the process by working collaboratively with experts at the site to design and implement a week that meets their needs
• Students participate in long-term, interdisciplinary studies that embody the program of studies
• Relevant skills and concepts are learned prior to the week on site
• Students continue to expand their learning and articulate their thinking when they return to the classroom
• Students work with community experts
• Students become comfortable in their new surroundings and focus on their learning
• Students are given time for deep learning

A Different Approach to Education

The Open Minds / Campus Calgary Programs are a very different approach for educators. The research and writing of John Falk and Lynn Dierking (1992) have focused on examining what happens to visitors to "museums" (a general term they use that include zoos, botanical gardens and other sites). They have concluded that there are some basic principles that should guide what is done at sites. Some key points include:

• There is a "novelty effect" when visitors are placed in a new environment that reduces the learning that can occur - the teachers in our program overcome this with a great deal of preliminary study and the week-long session allows the students to become familiar with their surroundings.

• People learn best through interactive opportunities - at all sites the students have many hands-on activities, programs with staff, and time in the exhibits.

• The social context is vital - children learn best in small groups and when they have time to relax. They need to talk so that they can share ideas and consolidate their learning.

• Learning takes time - Each Open Minds site allows lengthy periods of time each day for observation through journal writing.

• Teacher leadership is the key - The teacher is central to the learning experience in order to connect the week on site to regular class work.

Programming at the site should be directly connected to the work in the classroom - at the Open Minds / Campus Calgary sites the activities are tailor-made for the teacher. Regular school programming should tie closely to mandated curriculum and the site should be able to adapt it for the needs of the teacher.

Falk, J., & Dierking, L. (1992) The museum experience. Washington DC: Whalesback Books.

Not just a week-long field trip.

For most teachers the week at the Open Minds site provides an opportunity to reinforce and enrich students' learning. A great deal of preparation and activities go on prior to the week at the site. The follow-up activities involve completion of work that was started on-site. Most teachers view the week as a part of a long-term study and the whole experience as an important part of their program for the year.

History

The Open Minds program began in 1993 with the introduction of the first school at the Calgary Zoo.

Gillian Kydd, an educator and science specialist with the Calgary Board of Education initiated the program at the Calgary Zoo in 1993. Her strong belief in experiential learning, teacher-driven programming, and time for observation and reflection, provided the impetus for this innovative approach to learning.

Don Harvie, a well-known philanthropist, secured the necessary seed money from the Devonian Foundation to assist with the initial pilot of the program.

Chevron Canada Resources (CCR) expressed its interest in the pilot program, stepping forward to fund this new style of learning. Before long, more "school" sites were introduced.

Chevron Canada Resources funds three Open Minds school sites in Calgary, one in Fort McMurray Alberta and on in St. John's Newfoundland. Campus Calgary sites are funded by corporate sponsors listed.

Open Minds sites:

• Zoo School (Calgary - 1993)
• Glenbow Museum School (Calgary - 1995)
• Science Centre School (Calgary - 1996)
• Heritage Park School (Fort McMurray - 2009)
• Chevron Open Minds at The Rooms (St. John's Newfoundland - 2009)

Campus Calgary sites:

• University of Calgary (1996) - University of Calgary
• Canada Olympic Park (1997) - The RBC Foundation
• Inglewood Bird Sanctuary (1998) - Petro-Canada
• City Hall (2000) - The City of Calgary
• Calgary Stampede (2002) - Calgary Stampede Board
• Aero Space Museum (2004)
• Talisman Centre (2006) - The City of Calgary
• Fire Training Academy (2007) - ATCO Gas
• Cross Conservation School (Calgary - 2000)

The same elements that were used to establish the framework of Open Minds and Campus Calgary are used today at each site:

• A qualified teacher who develops and instructs an interdisciplinary, long-term study using the week-long experience as the focus
• An emphasis on observation, writing and drawing skills
• On-site experts
• Planning support from the school district and on-site staff
• Ongoing evaluation