CILC Project Descriptions

MPO Calendar Project: A shared venture for MPO, CILC, and Grade 5 Students in Indiana and Texas
The Indianapolis Metropolitan planning Organization (MPO) launched the MPO Calendar Project in 2006. MPO planners shared information with students, had students brainstorm ideas and then had students make predictions on the future of Transportation. Students examined personal, environmental, economic and global issues in looking at the current structure of transportation and what it could and should become. We think you will agree with us: The future is bright, and it is in the hands of some conscientious and creative young minds. View the students’ artistic renderings of the future of transportation.

Historically Black Colleges Event: A joint venture with the Indianapolis Black Alumni Council and CILC
For the past 10 years, CILC has joined with the Indianapolis Black Alumni Council in sponsoring a college fair distance recruitment event. Each year between 250 and 400 students connect via videoconferencing to between 40 and 50 Historically Black Colleges and Universities recruiters who convene in Indianapolis during the Circle City Classic event. Recruiters share information about their historic and prestigious institutions with eager high school students, including student/teacher ratios, tuition costs, details about academic and honors programs, admissions policies and requirements, college specialties, and scholarship opportunities. The two-way interaction demystifies the college application and search process and exposes available opportunities, both scholarship and academic, to more students seeking higher education.

Lake Coastal Waters: Students Engaged in community-Centered Science Inquiry
The 2004-2005 school year was the first year of the Lake Coastal Waters project, a collaborative initiative engaging middle and high school students in northern Indiana in an exploration of the flora, fauna, and environmental challenges of Lake Michigan. Funded by a grant from the Department of Natural Resources, and supported by the Center for Interactive Learning (CILC), the project was designed to encourage students to explore specific problems and, based on their research, offer viable solutions to enhance the lake coastal area. The external evaluation of the project, conducted by ROCKMAN ET AL, and funded by CILC’s Vista program, explored those areas where the Vistas have previously had an impact: technology use, collaboration, problem-based learning, and civic and social awareness.
Read the entire research report.

Bringing Learning and the Community Together: A Vista Pilot Program for Elementary Students
In 2004-2005, the Vista program sponsored its first elementary Vista, connecting private and public elementary schools in central and southern Indiana. Teachers and students (3rd-5th grade) in four schools developed a driving question: What does it take to create a better community where we address the pressing issues of diversity and environment and how can we help? This question guided the teachers and students in:

• identifying an issue to explore deeply.
• understanding the problems within the issue.
• researching.
• analyzing the research to develop a solution.
• creating an action plan.
• presenting the plan to the community.

The four participating elementary schools each implemented the Vista in different ways, providing four case studies of how the program works at this level.
Read this research report in its entirety.

Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust: a work in progress
The CILC/IPS Interactive Videoconferencing Career Development Project has been designed to improve dramatically the number of Indianapolis Public School (IPS) graduates that are better prepared to enter the workforce and contribute to our economy.
CILC has developed approaches to modernize how students prepare for the workforce. We have implemented, facilitated, and created programs incorporating various technologies that effectively show an increase in understanding. Better preparing students, during their middle school transformation years, to make choices that lead to well paying jobs and career options, is the key. Funding from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust allows CILC and IPS to engage a group of students in preparing for adulthood and enables those students to leave a legacy to be used by future IPS classes for years to come.
Read this research report in its entirety.

Creating new harmony in a community through restoration, preservation, and utilization
Start with an old gymnasium in disrepair. Mix in committed students seeking a meaningful project where they can apply problem-based learning strategies. Soon you have the �New Harmony Ribeyre Gymnasium Restoration Project�—a showcase CILC Vista community partnership featuring middle and high school students joining with community members for a cause: �to enhance the quality of life in this community through the redevelopment of this historic structure.�
Read this research highlight.

Finding community solutions to Indiana’s water pollution
The study of fertilizer and animal waste runoff from farm or livestock operations may not typically excite students. But when students understand the challenges this and other non-point source water pollution pose to our communities—and have the opportunity to connect with students in other districts and community experts to learn about environmental science —excitement is keen.
Read this research highlight.