Linford Elementary students share place-based extension program; board praises partnerships
Summary
Students and staff at Linford Elementary presented quarter‑one place-based and project-based learning experiences — field trips, UW partnerships and service projects — and trustees applauded the work while staff noted communication and pacing as areas for refinement.
Linford Elementary staff and students showcased an extension program that paired place-based instruction, project‑based units and service learning across grade levels. Students appeared in a short video describing weather-balloon launches, pond ecology studies, museum visits and a Snowy Range field trip.
Staff described partnerships with the University of Wyoming, the NASA Space Grant Consortium and local organizations. Fourth- and fifth-grade projects included community stewardship units and playground improvements; second-graders helped design and decorate free little libraries. Staff framed the extension program goals as increasing engagement and providing interdisciplinary experiences, noting a target of 28 extension hours per grade level per quarter and plans to adjust pacing and communication with teachers.
Trustees and community members praised the program’s novelty and community partnerships. Several trustees recalled personal connections to Linford staff and recognized the potential of experiential learning to influence future civic engagement.
Next steps: staff will refine communication with classroom teachers and continue partnerships to reach the stated 28-hour target across grade levels.
(Program quotes and student remarks came from the Linford extension team and appeared in the meeting’s recorded student video.)
