Question+8


 * 8. Evaluation Criterion:** **Based on past experience with other research projects, it is clear that the school and/or district has the capacity to support this innovative project.

Explain, within 300-400 words for tier 1 or 600-700 words for tiers 2 and 3, how your project meets this criterion.** *

The recent past has shown that cooperative projects among the district high schools can be extremely positive, fostering community and excellence as exemplified by the district musicals. The adventure center could be another example where this same type of cooperation is exercised. The lead teacher at our school has been awarded two “Minister’s of Education –Innovation in Education” grants. Following each project there was extensive sharing of the results at the district, provincial and indeed the international levels. We also have the experience of over 40 successful Grassroots grants from Industry Canada. Our teaching staff has shown a great deal of initiative in finding resources and trying new methods of teaching. We created on our own and implemented an alternative method of teaching our students that uses experiential learning as the main component. As a result, some of our students have made some very interesting research quality findings. As a result, we have won awards from Canada’s Space Agency, recognition from NASA and have been included in university publications. There are two members on staff that are formally trained in the soft fuzzy area of adventure programming, one of which has experience managing an Adventure Program. To date there are three members at other participating schools who are recently trained in the technical skills. This forms a great core group which will serve as a foundation for further Professional Development which is included in the budget. We have a long history of reciprocal agreements with the town that includes the sharing of fields, rinks, gym, the Access Center, Aquatic Center, and Arts Center. This relationship has been positive for our students, staff and town. There seems to be no reason that this adventure center would not fall under the same agreement. On an on going basis, there will need to be maintenance, recertification of the structures and individuals, and replacement of the gear. If the UNB Rock and Ice club serves as a reasonable model, we should be able to gain enough income from private bookings and fees from the general public to financially support the facility. Therefore we do not anticipate being a burden to either the school, district or province after the initial project timeline. The lead teacher has great experience in such projects. There are a number of qualified support staff to handle the running of the project. The school and town have an outstanding reciprocal agreement, and the district has been recently successful in conducting district wide collaborations. We feel that the right individuals and cooperation between the various stakeholders is well established which all contribute to ensuring a successful project.