Here is how the project went:
I am delighted to announce that my grant project has reached its completion! I aimed to create sustainable dioramas of a green skating rink and community center. Despite encountering challenges in achieving sustainability ( I wanted them to be "living dioramas"), with the physical dioramas, we have ingeniously crafted boxed scenes and coded hologram scenes that beautifully convey our vision and captivate the imagination, especially of young people. Community involvement has been at the heart of the project, and the grant funds played a pivotal role in acquiring virtual and physical materials. Responding to the community's demand for a garden and food distribution system, I am thrilled to announce my partnership with a local urban farm. I will showcase my project during the Fall festival alongside a mini garden demonstration and a farmer's market. This collaboration is intended to provide a fun and interactive experience that promotes sustainability and caters to the community's needs. I am also excited to share my project design and outreach experience on my blog, MQ Diaries - an extension of CitySchoolista. My blog encourages other young girls to explore their interests and make positive changes in their communities. I want to express my sincere appreciation to Roots and Shoots for their immense support and belief in my project. Moreover, I want to thank the community members who contributed their ideas and helped make this project successful. I look forward to showcasing the dioramas and raising awareness about sustainability and community empowerment. Watch for more updates on MQ Diaries as we work together to create a greener and better world!
Through this project I/we learned:
Through this grant project, I've learned some important lessons. Firstly, community input is crucial. Listening to the community's ideas and feedback has shaped our project and made it more impactful. I've also learned the value of adaptability. When our original plan didn't work out with using living plants, we had to get creative and find alternative solutions. Being flexible and open to change is critical. Partnerships have been easier than I thought. Collaborating with the local urban farm for the mini garden demo and farmer's market was a great experience. When you share a common goal, partnerships can come together smoothly. Lastly, I've realized that projects don't have hard starts or finishes. They're ongoing. It's essential to keep learning, improving, and staying engaged with the community for long-term impact. These lessons have been eye-opening, and I'm excited to apply them to future projects and continue making a difference in our community.
What I/we might change:
Looking back at the project, if I had the chance to do it again, I would change a couple of things. First, I would send out the surveys earlier to get more community feedback and ideas immediately. This would help us better understand what the community wants. Second, I would consider doing in-person pop-ups or community events to explain the project in person. It would be a chance to showcase the dioramas, answer questions, and excite people. I think this personal approach could bring more people on board and make the project even better. These changes would help us involve more people, get their input earlier, and create a stronger connection with the community.
My/our favorite part of this project was:
The dioramas - both the doll ones and the coding.
Some tips, tricks or fun facts about the project:
Here are some helpful tips and tricks I've learned from the project to share with you: Start engaging the community early: Get feedback and ideas from the community right from the beginning. Their input is essential and can shape the project in a meaningful way. Stay flexible and open to change: Sometimes, things don't go as planned. Be adaptable and creative, finding alternative solutions when needed. Use different communication methods: Reach out through various channels like surveys, social media, and in-person events. This helps get more people involved and ensures diverse perspectives. Collaborate with others: Seek partnerships with local organizations or businesses that share your goals. Working together amplifies the impact and resources available. Keep improving over time: View the project as an ongoing process rather than a one-time event. Learn from feedback, make adjustments, and strive for continuous improvement. By following these tips, you can make your project more engaging, effective, and successful in creating a positive impact in your community.