ASAP! gets $5,000 grant for project

WASHINGTON — ASAP! received a $5,000 grant from the Connecticut Community Foundation in support of their Metamorphosis Project at the Children’s Community School in Waterbury.

The Metamorphosis Project is a fully interactive program that partners with Pomperaug River Watershed Coalition, ASAP! teaching artist Jenna Robb, and CCS school teachers and administrators to weave arts and creative learning experiences with environmental and academic curricula. The project provides the opportunity for students to understand their identity as writers, artists, scientists, and engineers through specially designed projects in and out of the classroom.

The project kicked off with professional development for CCS teachers with Jenna Robb. Pomperaug River Watershed Coalition visited CCS to prepare students and faculty for a field trip to the Trolley Bed Preserve in Woodbury, where their explorations took off.

Once at the site, students learned about CT endangered species, study stream ecology, collect river samples and analyze data.

When students returned to the classroom they used their field work experiences to inform design and engineering assignments, and to fuel writing, and activism projects.

They studied human and selfidentity through animal and plant adaptation and invent scenarios for fictitious animals and places. They worked collaboratively and individually, illustrating their designs using pencil and brush techniques, dyeing and stamping, camouflage, and fossilmaking. Also, students studed human impact on the earth through forces and motion. They built environmentallyfriendly rescue vehicles, first drafting their ideas on paper, then creating models with recycled materials. Through these applications they begin to understand their own impact on planet Earth and their power to create positive change. These multidimensional, handson experiences teach the connection between art, science, math, nature, and empathy.

Each year, ASAP!’s Metamorphosis Project culminates in a final exhibit for the school community. This year a special exhibit will be extended at the Ion Bank at 910 Wolcott Street in Waterbury. For more information, visit www.asapct.org or call 8608680740.