GHS-C-TEC Collaboration Wins National Award

The collaboration between the students of Environmental Science Teacher Jim Reding and Visual Communications Teacher Jennifer Kinsley at Granville High School won the Most Innovative in Education Award from The Lexicon of Stability’s Project Localize Awards.

Mr. Reding and Mrs. Kinsley used cross-disciplinary methods to pioneer success in project-based learning. The Environmental Science class researched the local food system and worked with the Visual Communications art class to document the sustainable solutions through information artwork.

Mrs. Kinsley said, “Our students earned our two schools the Most Innovative in Education Award. Our two schools blazed the trail for group collaboration, which is the model of working in today's graphic and communication career fields, and which, my opinion, makes it the most important award category.” She added, “We're proud of the work our students did together. A very nice finish of their first efforts in a national competition!”

The students are:
Researchers/Interviewers – GHS: Connor Wallace, Chase Rogerson, Christian Price, Maddy Richardson, Sarah McKee, Fiona Verdon, Grant Hosler, Emma Adam, Colton Piso, Cori Wolfe, Jodi Langley, Hannah Figi, Sam McCutchan, Troy Peek, Bailey Clark, Natalie Saigh, Danielle LaValley, Liam Moulton, Tyler Thomas, Shannon Murphy, Cassie Van Offeren, Danielle Sabatino, Paige Underwood, Jaime McClintock, Rachel Romesburg, Rachel McLaughlin, Ashley Batey, Sarah Owen, Maggie McGonagle, Madeline Sharp, Chandlar Ford, Bailey Blanchard, Emily Pitcher, Dakota Smith, Kristina Hansell, Hannah Cecrle and Daniel Maurer.
Designers – GHS: Chase Rogerson; Lakewood HS: Davis Staley, Tucker Bevard and Grant Harris; Newark HS: Kyla Spears; Utica HS: Josiah Gastineau and Keren Higgins; Watkins HS: Charity Vingle.

Designer Davis Staley from Lakewood High School said of the project, “The experience was difficult, but good. It helped build skills in Photoshop. It was also good research experience. I was really glad to be involved in this!”

GHS student Paige Underwood said, “I enjoyed getting to know the local businesses – I had not heard of most them before this project. It’s good to see what they’re doing.”

Utica High School student Keren Higgins added, “It was a unique experience taking photos and doing research.”

Tucker Bevard, a Lakewood High School student, said, “It was nice to work with the Granville students because we don’t get to work with them very often.”

Mr. Reding said, “The project local experience engaged students with issues outside the classroom; encouraging them to be a part of the discussion and empowering them to be a part of the solution. I am incredibly proud of these students and thrilled with the way they approached this project.”

More than 250 students participated in the launch of this educational program in seven states across the nation.

Winning artworks, created by students ranging in age from 15 to 17, were selected by a panel of judges including Jack Johnson, musician and eco-activist; Daniel Klein, filmmaker; Ania Chamberlin, Project Localize alum; and authors Anna Lappe, Paul Hawken and Zenobia Barlow.

Winners will be invited to join the Lexicon in Washington, D.C. to present their work. View the winners’ gallery here.

More about Mr. Reding:
Jim was nominated by the Ohio Farm to School Network to bring Project Localize to his state because of his innovative work with edible education. Jim teaches AP environmental science, ecology and a summer class on sustainable agriculture. Along with his students, he developed the school’s organic garden including raised beds, fruit trees, a hoop house, greenhouse, aquaponics, a rain garden and solar panels. Currently, his students are working with the US Fish and Wildlife and other community partners to develop a 50 acre land lab complete with prairies and wetlands.

More about Mrs. Kinsley:
Jennifer teaches Visual Communications for C-TEC of Licking County. This program prepares high-school junior and senior students for a career in the visual and graphic arts. Jennifer holds a Master’s Degree in visual arts for special populations from The Ohio State University. She has developed and implemented arts programming for The Columbus Museum of Arts and The Works: Ohio Center for History, Art & Technology. In addition to teaching, Jennifer is an organic gardener, an active exhibiting book sculpture artist and performer on the hammer dulcimer.

← BACK
Print This Article
View text-based website