INTRODUCTION
On this page I have included the three projects that I will focus on during my Capstone year in Gaia University. I have chosen to use deadlines and a chart to mark whether or not I am completing my desired next steps. This will help me hold myself accountable as well as for other's to hold me accountable because they will have access to my LIPD. I have also created a series of learning metrics that I will follow through on in my upcoming project outputs to check in and do a critical analysis of my project work. I have also added a key outcomes section, or also known as AHA moments. This page is meant to be read from left column down and up to the right.
Jensen's action learning metrics to reflect on each output:
- Is this project/idea/design a repeat or a first time action?
- How innovative is the project/idea/design?
- Did the project/idea/design build any capacity? Was it small-scale or large-scale?
- Did I utilize resources and engage in any outreach and leading change activities during this output?
The learning metrics is an addition that I was encouraged to add by my Advisor and Jennifer. I have chosen my questions based on questions I found myself asking at the end of my Learning Review. I also thought they paired nicely with some of my professional goals of: observing more, seeing patterns, tracking progress, and learning to use good questions. I thought these metrics would be the perfect segue into my goals and being able to have a way to hold myself accountable as well as track myself throughout my journey. I also realize though that this is just a prototype and it might not go as I have planned, I am ready to accept that if it comes. I have created these with the help of looking at other associates as well as foraging around online for business metrics. I knew that I had to tweak them to fit my goals and desires. I am pleased with them for now and I look forward to utilizing them in my upcoming project outputs.
Capstone Year
Project plans and timeline for the year
Wild mushrooms in an Urban setting
Middle of the year presentation
Mini-biodome greenhouse for my porch
Creating a vertical garden inside my tiny house
Completion date: 30 Mar 2015
Completion date: 1 Apr 2015
Radical Mycology Convergence
Goals and project ideas for the year
Completion date: 1 Dec 2014
Key Outcomes
Outcomes to the Field
My work throughout the year will be for anyone living in a city or suburb. I have focused on projects that are based off of Urban Ecology values. I have focused on trying to create ideas and projects that will be functional, sustainable, cost-efficient and fun. So far in my work I was able to bring people together to join and learn about what I am doing.
My work will continue to include dissemination through...
- Making my outputs accessible to the public
- Hosting activities within my local community
- Hosting 2 radio calls with Gaia
- Interview on Stevens Point local radio
- Attending workshops and presenting at them or holding discussions
Politcial/Patrix Effects
My work may contribute to the political landscape of my area by making people want to have urban gardens. It may also encourage people to have mini-greenhouses at apartment complexes, or small barrel rain gardens, and even growing things vertically in small places. With the implementation of those ideas in more house-holds in a city will increase the cities sustainability thus effecting the political landscape.
Personal and Professional Outcomes
I have learned that I can create really great ideas that are attainable and fun. I definitely do not have any short comings when it comes to projects and things I want to try it. With Gaia I am able to do rapid prototypes and small-scale systems as a trial and error system. By having the ability to try out my projects I am increasing my ability to pitch my ideas to the public in a more refined way. These projects will also help me adapt to speaking out and networking with others by hosting small gatherings and events in my local community.
Project Intentions:
I have generated multiple ideas for projects that could come to fruition for my capstone year. However, I have finally solidified 3 that I would like to extend my focus on. This is because of resources available, time management, and interests.
The three projects I will focus on throughout the year are:
Wild Mushrooms
This output will be centered around harvesting wild mushrooms and will offer tips and tricks for when you're mushroom hunting. I will also focus on the social permaculture you can incorporate into this hobby. In this project phase I will try to grow my own Oyster mushrooms indoors in a bag below my kitchen sink. During this output I will attend a 4-day Mycology Convergence in northern Illinois and I will share information that was gleaned from the experience.
Mini Urban Green House
I am definitely most excited for this project phase to come into action. I will be erecting a Miniature green house for my porch or side yard, this ultimately depends on the final dimensions of the green house. My plan is to focus on a way that Urban neighborhoods can incorporate a green house to their homes in a functional and unobtrusive way. As I live in the city, and don't have too much space with neighbors all around I felt like this was the perfect opportunity to plan and engage in action learning. I will be using resources that I already have on hand as well as buying a few other project tools. This project will require a lot of thinking and measuring and rapid prototyping. These are tools that I look forward to encountering as they aren't my typical go-to skills.
Vertical Gardening Indoors
In this project phase I will create a few different styles of vertical gardens. I will be using tools and resources that I have around the house, and might even go dumpster diving for some! I also plan on searching through craigslist to see if there is anything I can get for free, or, cheap, locally. I have a large patio door that is Southwest facing and acquires a lot of sunlight daily. I want to utilize this sunlight and heat to it's full potential by trying to grow leafy greens indoors in a way that doesn't take up too much space, is self-sufficient, and low-costing. I will document my process and project by taking pictures, videos and narration.
The last output I will focus on to wrap up my year is my learning review. Using my learning metrics as a reference I will be able to determine the originality of my projects/ideas and designs and the capacity that they have built. This output will be an opportunity for me to do a full assessment and reflection on interventions, intended/actual pathway, and my goals that were set in my LIPD. I will also use this output as an opportunity to reflect on my experience with Gaia U as a whole as this will be the last output needed to complete my BSc with Gaia University.
Interventions
The primary interventions that I had throughout the creation of this LIPD OP was on the development itself into the mahara platform. I had been using the 3 tab concept for my past few outputs and have gotten into a pattern of doing so. After having my items initially on three tabs seemed to be way too cluttered. I chose to navigate around this by adding on an additional two tabs. I instantly felt so much better after that transition and felt like my readers would appreciate the changes that I had made. This intervention pushed some edges because I had to learn how to add just one page onto an existing collection. Once I figured out how to add tabs I was able to make some adjustments to my Life and Career review as well which helped me finish before my original intended date.
Mushroom Harvesting
Urban excursions for wild mushrooms and other edibles.
Radical Mycology Convergence in Illinois, WI.
4 day Mycology conference
Grow my own oysters inside, under the sink
Go wild foraging for mushrooms
Fall dinner party with creations from wild mushrooms!
Mini Greenhouse
Making an Urban greenhouse
Create a rapid prototype by drawing diagrams and then constructing with bamboo skewers and a hot glue gun. This will help determine the number of lumber needed for actual project.
What do I have currently? Forage around the house before reaching out to others.
Create a list of all the materials needed to complete the project
Gather all the resources necessary to begin building the greenhouse. Buy the remaining items needed.
Build the greenhouse! Encourage others to come and help by baking them yummy treats and giving them warm apple cider.
Vertical Gardening
Creating a vertical garden indoors using old resources.
What should it look like? How much room do I want to dedicate? What should I use to create it?
Gather all of the materials
Using my vision design an indoor vertical garden using the resources that have been found and put it into action! Construct, plant and water.
How's it coming together? Is there any growth? Do any amendments need to be made? If so, what?
Critical Evaluation
In this output I used the implementation of color psychology with the creation of my design mandala. This was a new feature for me as I have never thought of doing it before. I was encouraged to do this by just thinking how colors mean certain things to me and how each person has their own favorite colors. I also have been learning a lot about non-verbal communication and I figured that color would also carry non-verbal communications as well. Another thing I chose to incorporate was the heart chakra for my design method. This came into play because I kept thinking to myself that a lot of my projects and ideas come from my instincts. I have learned about chakras before and it was something I used to be more into and thought it would be an appealing and functional design to add to my output.