Smooth Sailing...

When I went to Cityview last week to volunteer for ACES, we (the volunteers) were given the task of surveying the students about how they feel ACES works for them. The questions were all very interesting and I got some interesting answers. Here are some examples:
- "Do you feel that there is at least one adult in the ACES program who cares for you?"
~to which I got responses like: "Yes, you are one!" and "YES!" (with a big smile on their faces
- "Do you think ACES has helped you to do better in school?"
~"Ya, it helps me get my homework done in time."
- "Do you turn all your homework in on time?"
~"Haha, no..."
-"Do you have important plans for the future?"
~"Yes, I want to be a veterinarian."
-"Do you plan on going to college?"
~ I got mostly yes's, but one student said, "No, I am not smart enough." To which I responded, "I think you could finish college if you put your mind to it. He just shrugged.
- "What is the one thing ACES could change to be better? (not including having more trips or free time)?"
~"I wish we had more organized activities in the classroom."
- "Do you ever feel that you need to use physical force to get something you want."
~"No."
-"Do you ever hit people when you feel like it."
~ Generally no's, but one student said, "Yes, but only when we play fight."

These questions, among others were asked to the students in order to gage how ACES has been affecting them, and how they view the program. Most of the students answered the questions the way one would hope they would, but every so often I would receive an answer that took me aback. Overall, though, the students really felt that ACES was a positive experience for them. They almost all said that ACES has helped them improve in school. It was really interesting to conduct the surveys. The students were all very excited to participate and the ones who we didn't get to were very disappointed. It was a nice close to my experience at Cityview, though I would love to continue volunteering there. Chad offered a place to us for next year if we wanted to return, and I am seriously contemplating going back. It has been a moving and eye opening experience to work with the kids. I have greatly enjoyed myself.

Posted by Allison Prange at 9:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Blog Prompt 9 response- Sara and Christa- Goal 4 reduce child mortality

• Start with video
o Nice images and quotes
o Millennium Development Goal 4
• Most deaths are preventable
• 1354 children will die during this class
• Sierra Leone
o Worst child mortality rating in the world
o Western Africa- 20 dif ethnic groups
o Farming, diamonds, gold
o Poorly managed, weak infrastructure
o Government corruption and diamond industry led to civil war- RUF
o Amputated extremities to eliminate number of useful soldiers
o Kidnapped children to raise them as soldiers
o Slowly improving, though large steps need to be taken
o 270/1000 children under 5 will die- 6.5 children per woman
o Little sanitation
o Causes of child mortality
• Malnutrition, no sanitation, no healthcare etc
o Solutions
• Improve newborn care
• Distribution of supplements
• Immunization
• Mosquito nets
o UNICEF example
o Action Against Hunger
o Feed my Starving Children- Minnesota
o Nothing but Nets- internet business- play the game!
o Push widespread action

I think this group put together a nice presentation, the video was a fantastic touch, however, I am not sure they pushed the envelope with their solution. They stated good solutions and pointed out good organizations to follow, however they did not propose much that would elevate the rate of improvement towards the resolution of this problem. Granted, the solutions are widely known, and they pointed out that the problem comes in the execution, but they did not point out a way to eradicate this problem. Really, for every Millennium Development Goal a solution is pre-existing, but the idea behind this assignment, in my opinion was to think the problem from a slightly new perspective.

Posted by Allison Prange at 4:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Response to Goal 7- Angie, Anthony, Laura- Honors presentation

Presentation Points
• Bring environmental sustainability to Minneapolis slums
• Increased need for low income housing
o Lack of development projects, no one wants proposed low income housing nearby, redevelopment projects
o If left unsolved
• Overcrowding etc
• Natural environment in crisis
o 30% of species have been lost
o Current design practices work against sustainability, mainly due to materials used and emissions
o Propositions
• Replacement materials
• Go green
• Lower energy cost, increase well being of occupants, reduce footprint
• Ex of successes
o Federal Reserve Bank Minneapolis
o S.C. Johnson Company Headquarters
• CHEAP
o Near North Apartments, Chicago
• Drainwater system, huge water savings
o Traugott Terrace Apartments
• Natural lighting, water conserved etc
• Water conservation
• Lower energy cost
• Renovate low income housing units to increase sustainability
• Riverside Plaza- low income housing
1. Install water re-use systems
2. Use compact fluorescent light bulbs
3. Install vertical recycling chutes
4. Replace windows with high efficiency triple paned glass
5. Replace deteriorating colored panels with new wood panels
6. Paint dirty concrete to white
7. Utilize passive-solar energy
8. Apply energy star roof systems to reduce solar absorption
9. Install energy star appliances
10. Replace old HVAC system with energy star certified system
11. KONE elevators with gearless traction- use less energy

Above is the outline of the notes I took during the honors presentation, presented by Angie, Anthony and Laura, pertaining to goal 7- to Ensure environmental sustainability. They chose to focus on creating sustainable living for low income housing, particularly the Riverside Plaza in Minneapolis.
I responded very well to this presentation as it was very specific in what they were trying to achieve. I think they thought through the problem in front of them and developed a reasonable, attainable and coveted response. The found a need and filled it. I appreciate their choice and I think it was noble to point out that the problems that need to be addressed are occurring in our own back yard.
I guess I have a skewed perception of this particular goal as it is the same one I chose for my presentation. However, I am going to suggest the same thing that was suggested to me by my TA: Perhaps a few suggestions of more proactive solutions as opposed to reactive solutions. This, in fact, is exactly what was suggested to me by Jeff, however, I found it to be very helpful and eye opening. The problem really isn’t in the products we buy, or the ways they are produced, the problem is in the lifestyle choices and societal norms of today. Why can’t we be more open to using less technology on a day to day basis and living a more simplified existence in order to save the environment we live in for future generations? It is a bug question, and not easily tackled, but if simplicity is preached from the beginning in children’s lives, the solution could grow. A lofty solution, yes, but the only true one. Rather than combating ourselves, our habits, with new technologies and solutions, why not change ourselves? Even the slightest change could make a difference.

Posted by Allison Prange at 3:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)