INNOVATIVE EXPERIENCES

A Hands-On Proposal
PROPOSAL: Hands-On

Table of Contents

Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................................................... 2

Table of Figures .................................................................................................................................................................. 3

Executive Summary............................................................................................................................................................. 4

Current Situation ................................................................................................................................................................. 6

Project Plan .......................................................................................................................................................................... 9

Phase 1: Find a Location ............................................................................................................................................... 9

Phase 2: Finalize Insurance and Train Staff .......................................................................................................... 11
Phase 3: Gather Supplies.......................................................................................................................................... 12
Phase 4: Advertise ...................................................................................................................................................... 13
Phase 5: Opening Day .............................................................................................................................................. 14
Qualifications.................................................................................................................................................................... 14

Cost and Benefits ............................................................................................................................................................. 15

Costs............................................................................................................................................................................... 15
Benefits .......................................................................................................................................................................... 16
Conclusion .......................................................................................................................................................................... 17

References ......................................................................................................................................................................... 18

Appendix: Proposed Budget Worksheet .................................................................................................................... 20

Appendix: Qualifications ............................................................................................................................................... 21

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PROPOSAL: Hands-On

Table of Figures

Figure 1: [Photograph of play:groundNYC's 'the Yard'] …………………………………………………. 7

Figure 2: [Beulah City Park, 410 E 3rd St, Yamhill, OR 97148 (Google)].……………………………… 9

Figure 3: [Figure 3: Wortman Park, 2051 NE Lafayette Ave, McMinnville, OR 97128 (Google)]……… 9

Figure 4: [1100 S College St. Newberg, or 97132 (Zillow)]……………………………………………. 10

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PROPOSAL: Hands-On

Executive Summary

Hands-On has found that the current situation in the Willamette Valley of Oregon does not

include many, if any, options for children to learn from adventure playgrounds based on STEAM-

learning – or the learning of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. The concepts of risk

and grit are integral to the growth of children. Without them children grow up to suffer from

crippling depression and anxiety.

To combat this Hands-On has taken a proactive role to creating a safe place for children to

learn from their own personal failures and advancements. The proposal plan attached includes the

five phases of how to reach completion

Phase 1. Find and secure a location

Phase 2. Procure insurance and train staff

Phase 3. Gather supplies

Phase 4. Advertise

Phase 5. Opening Day!

The benefits of this playground are many, as children are not only given tools to improve their

problem-solving ability but also are encouraged to use Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and

Math to tackle the creations they set out to make. Children playing in Hands-On’s playground are

our future engineers, architects, artists, and carpenters. Hands-On hopes to encourage the mental

growth of children so that they can learn from these experiences and implement them tomorrow.

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PROPOSAL: Hands-On

Hands-On is a startup company whose focus is providing children opportunities that provide

mental, physical, and psychological growth that will benefit them when they are grown into adults.

The Hands-On adventure park that is being proposed today will be Andrea Ausmus’ first venture

with Hands-On and she is hoping that it will be well received so that more opportunities will arise.

As parents and caregivers, those at Hands-On believe in the importance of providing children with

the tools they need to be successful adults in the future.

Currently, children growing in the Willamette Valley of Oregon do not have access to STEAM

(Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) free-from-parent play, diminishing the emotional

growth of grit and risk that come from this style of play. The purpose of this proposal is to take

steps to provide the communities in the Willamette Valley with a STEAM-based Adventure

Playground for children ages six and up. Hands-On is looking for financing to establish a location

for the playground as well as financing for the startup costs that are required for opening.

Hands-On plans are to provide children of the Willamette Valley communities a chance to take

risks and learn from failures so that they can continue this behavior into adulthood without too much

difficulty. By giving children the opportunity to learn skills like grit and risk it allows them to be able

to function in an adult society. Children that did not build these skills have entered college and

adulthood without the ability to cope and have shown an increase in depression and anxiety (Perry,

2018, p. 1551). By allowing children the ability to fail and cope with this failure they are less likely

to grow focused on the possibility of failure, but rather gain the skills that encourage growth in risk-

taking and grit.

In this proposal, Hands-On will first present the current situation of children approaching

adulthood and the risks that parents are taking in continuing this trend. Second, the proposal will

lay out the steps that will be taken by Hands-On after receiving financing. Third, a review of the

qualifications of Hands-On's president, Andrea Ausmus. Finally, a cost analysis will be provided.

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PROPOSAL: Hands-On

Current Situation

Setting up an adventure playground with an emphasis on a self-exploratory creative playstyle

requires parents to move away from a concept of “helicopter parenting” to a more “free range”

form of parenting. This migration away from controlled play to adventure play allows children to

acclimate themselves with the idea that failure happens and there are ways to accomplish the task

even through that failure. The use of adventure playgrounds influences parents and children to

allow for the safe accidents that will allow for problem-solving and personal accomplishments.

Parents began to foster a new form of parenting in the mid-1980s in response to the increased

visibility of abductions, schoolwork demands, and self-esteem movements (Lythcott-Haims, 2015).

This form of parenting, later termed “helicopter parenting”, relied less on free play and more adult

led activities. There are also theories that often these parents are also responding to experiences

that they had as children and often react to the regret that they had in their own growth into

adulthood (Hall, 2017, para. 8). This also led to parents being more involved in every aspect of

their children’s lives, including even into adulthood where they would try to help their children with

opportunities, decisions, and problem-solving (Lythcott-Haims, 2015, para. 19).

Though initially this was thought to be beneficial to children, scientists and psychologists are

finding that there are struggles these children are having to cope with as they transition into adults.

Nicole B. Perry, Ph.D., found in her research that “children with helicopter parents may be less able

to deal with the challenging demands of growing up, especially with navigating the complex school

environment.”(Luna, 2018) This is because in a college and/or work environment there are often

situations of problem-solving that these new adults are expected to make on their own. In Perry’s

study, she found that children who could play without direct control of their parents were able to

cope with any situation because they had developed self-soothing techniques and those children

who were parented by helicopter parents were more lacking in this skill (2018, p. 1551).

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PROPOSAL: Hands-On

According to Joel Young, Ph.D., without coping skills the children grow into adults that struggle

with depression and anxiety and this can be attributed to the lack of emotional and cognitive

development from helicopter parenting (2017). These are psychological symptoms that Chris Meno,

an Indiana University psychologist, sees as an issue because the children never learn self-confidence

or how to deal with failure (Editors of Indiana University Newsroom, 2007).

In response to this issue, there is an insurgence of parks, playgrounds, and educational

formatting that encourage self-exploration as well as encouraging STEAM. Some examples of these

include playgrounds like The Yard (https://play-ground.nyc/about), camps like Trackers Earth

(http://www.trackerspdx.com), and studios like Portland Child Art Studio

(http://portlandchildart.org/index.html). These camps also allow children to make messes, create,

and make mistakes where someone outside of their own parents can help guide them to a solution.

In Oregon, parents are starting to recognize the benefits of safe self-expression and making

mistakes. Laura Randall, a parent in Portland, Oregon, has started to encourage her seven-year-

old son to become more “free-range” (Prichep, 2018). Free-range parenting is the movement in

response to helicopter parenting. The worry of many parents of allowing their children more

freedom is that there is a possibility of endangering the children’s safety, this concern can sometimes

conclude with a parent reported to CPS or placed under arrest for child endangerment (Prichep,

2018).

The best solution for those parents that would like to allow their children to have more freedom

and to encourage problem-solving would be a STEAM playground that parents are not allowed to

enter. The Yard, on Governor’s Island in New York, allows for this type of play. The Yard is open

to all children with free play available on the weekends only. They provide recycled materials,

hand tools (hammers, saws), and “playmakers” (adults that supervise on-site) (Mercier, 2018). This

type of play encourages children to participate in creative play with self-exploration but be in a

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PROPOSAL: Hands-On

place that is completely secure and supervised to help prevent any major accidents with the use of

sharp tools.

Parents who have always tried to do the

best for their children will try and follow the

studies in parenting. The love that they feel

for their children is something that does not

change whether they are protective parents

or parents that encourage independence.

There are benefits of a helicopter parent in

that they allow for their children to try many Figure 1: [Photograph of play:groundNYC's 'the Yard'].

things and they know that their parent will

be there for them at the end of the day (Botnik, 2016). The melting pot of children with different

home experiences is what makes play spaces that rely on building self-esteem work. Each child can

learn a little bit of life experience from each other as they make mistakes alongside each other.

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PROPOSAL: Hands-On

Project Plan

Hands-On’s goal is to design and build an adventure playground with an emphasis on STEAM

learning. To provide this space for children to play Hands-On proposes a plan that uses current

child psychology as well as adventure play trends.

To see this playground come to fruition the following goals will need to be completed:

• Find a location • Advertise/promote the location to

• Research Insurance and Local Laws local communities

• Find donations for tools and supplies • Stage and opening day

• Hire and train employees for leading

children in open-ended play

To be able to meet these goals Hands-On will need to rely on the National Science Foundation’s

ITEST program to help in a monetary capacity to obtain a location and any other startup costs (e.g.,

advertising, hiring, and insurance). This will allow Hands-On to provide services to the youth of the

community and in turn, increase their confidence with STEAM-based learning.

Phase 1: Find a Location

Projected End of May 2019

After receiving financial assistance from the National Science Foundation, Hands-On will

immediately use the bulk of the grant for establishing our location. Some potential locations of

interest are:

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PROPOSAL: Hands-On

Figure 2: Beulah City Park, 410 E 3rd St, Yamhill, OR Figure 3: Wortman Park, 2051 NE Lafayette Ave,
97148 (Google) McMinnville, OR 97128 (Google)

Both locations are public city parks, to use these facilities it would be likely require establishing

a rental agreement with the community parks and rec. Having the locations in public parks will

ensure that the service is perceived as being provided to the community at large. If the parks are

not willing to give up space for an adventure playground then there would be a need to find

private land to rent/purchase.

A potential listing of interest on Zillow.com for

purchase is 1100 S College St. Newberg OR

97132. The asking price is $299,000 and it is an

empty lot. To get a piece of property of this type

ready for a playground Hands-On would have to

invest more time and money into infrastructure

purchases like bathroom and parking. There may

Figure 4: 1100 S College St. Newberg, or 97132 (Zillow)
be added cost with the city to allow for business

on the property.

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PROPOSAL: Hands-On

Phase 2: Procure Insurance and Train Staff

December 2019

After the location is procured, Hands-On will need to find insurance for liability protection.

The following types of insurance are needed according to businessinsuranceusa.com:

• Premises Liability

• Products Liability

• Completed Operations

These three are all typically covered under general liability insurance for the playground

(Universal Lines, 2013) As this is general liability insurance Hands-On will need to provide waivers

for the parents to sign. This is to prove that they understand the risks involved with allowing their

child to play in a park that allows hands-on building and designing.

Hands-on will be run by adults who are trained in first aid to mitigate any fears of injury. This

will include a standard pediatric first aid certification and a bloodborne pathogens certification.

These courses cover the following (Red Cross):

Pediatric First Aid Certification

• Burns • CPR

• Bleeding • Anaphylaxis

• Choking

Bloodborne Pathogens Certification

• Blood/Bodily Fluid Exposure • Infectious Materials

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PROPOSAL: Hands-On

As well as first aid certification all volunteers/employees will be trained on current child care

techniques and expectations. Specific training that Hands-On will focus on will be total inclusivity.

Hands-On wants to include this experience for children who have more challenging personalities

and sensory integration issues.

Hands-On will also use and train based on two psychological studies of grit and risk.

Grit: The idea that success comes from hard work. Angela quoted Nietzsche in her

book, Grit, “No one can see in the work of the artist how it has become” (2017, p.

40). Hand-On wants to promote this by encouraging children to focus on the journey

to success.

Risk: In increasing the acceptance of risk Hands-On wants to make children and

parents understand the benefits of “risky” behavior. A child can learn that through

failure there is often reward and renewal something often overlooked in today’s

parenting culture (Luna).

Hands-On will also take a proactive stance of working alongside other adventure playgrounds to

learn and grow from the experiences of others.

Phase 3: Gather Supplies

Collection begins January 2020

After the initial location procurement, Hands-On will approach local hardware, paint, and supply

stores in the area for donations.

The professional quality tools Hands-On needs are: hammers, saws, miter boxes, screwdrivers, pliers,

chisels, caulk guns, mechanical staplers, etc.

For safety purposes the use of power tools by minors will be not tolerated.

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PROPOSAL: Hands-On

Donations can come from the public as well, to increase the mindset of reusing materials. With

cash donations Hands-On can purchase materials and tools at Habitat for Humanities or local thrift

stores. The materials Hands-On needs are: paints (spray paints or outdoor paints), caulking, plywood,

lumber (scraps and beams), appliances, batteries, lights, wire, rope, canvas drop clothes, etc. These

donations will come from the public to offset their dumping costs. As we do not require working

appliances or full lumber we can take anything that would otherwise be taken to a dumpsite as

waste. Ideally, the donations will cover a cross-section of everyday items so that children can have

an opportunity to build, create, and tear apart. This will allow the children to see a direct correlation

of cause and effect.

Phase 4: Advertise

begins January 2020 – ramps in April 2020

Like any service-based business, Hands-On will need to become proactive about gaining patrons.

To gain a following print and electronic advertising will be used.

Print: Posters and flyers are the most appropriate and inexpensive option. These can be

designed and printed at a low cost. Print advertising of this type is easy to share with schools,

playgroups, libraries, and other community locations.

Social Media: Hands-On also understands the value of social media for self-promotion. Using

platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter will be able to reach a different more modern

class of patrons.

Webpage: By using a webpage as a base of information and operation, Hands-On will be able

to provide current information like hours, costs, volunteer/employee forms, waiver forms, and

donation requests. Hands-On can also use the webpage to link with the social media platforms

and provide a blog for current events.

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PROPOSAL: Hands-On

Phase 5: Opening Day

Opening days: Memorial Day weekend May 23-25

Play! Hands-On will open its playground to a generation of children that will be providing

future solutions to the economy, environment, and their own children. The future will be bright with

problem-solvers and risk takers at the helm.

An opening party will be held with a carnival-like atmosphere to add to the excitement. Drinks,

cookies, and waiver forms will be available with open sessions for parents to ask questions and get

to know the staff. Pamphlets and resources about local STEAM events and the benefits of adventure

parks will also be available.

Qualifications
Hands-On’s president, Andrea Ausmus has had several years of experience working with

children and non-profit groups. She has had an accumulation of 24 years of working in youth groups

with children between the ages 12 months to 13 years. She is also a parent of three boys, the oldest

being 14 years old. Her list of qualifications can be found in full on the Appendix: Qualifications.

Andrea has worked in after school childcare, both for companies and self-employed. She has

also volunteered for several nonprofits; Newberg Indoor Park, Yamhill-Carlton Parent Teacher

Organization, and Gaston Seventh-Day Adventist’s Vacation Bible School. At these volunteer

opportunities she found herself in leadership positions, including Treasurer and President. This has

given her the opportunity to understand the budgeting and expectations of a non-profit as

compared to a for-profit company.

While working with children Andrea realized that a passion of hers is to increase a child’s

awareness of problem-solving through science, technology, engineering, and math. This is likely

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PROPOSAL: Hands-On

because growing up her own family put a greater priority on learning in this way. Andrea wants

to provide this learning style to as many children as possible to promote a love of learning.

Cost and Benefits

Costs

Hands-On is expecting a total cost of $179,596 to provide children with the full experience of a

hands-on STEAM-learning adventure park.

The direct costs of the Hands-On program will be the initial purchase of property for the location

of the park, the cost for solicitation and advertising. These amount to $47,075.

This leaves $132,521 in indirect costs.

As a start-up Hands-On will use one manager to fulfill a leadership role, once there is enough

funding there will be a need for more leadership positions. The location that is planned for

building the park is undeveloped so there will be a need for purchase and construction, both will

include extra costs to the project. The cost of this in total will be approximately $66,391.

When the park becomes functional there will be the need for staff for check-in and childcare. To

start three “playmakers” will be needed. To ensure that the staff is properly trained for working

with children Hands-On will provide training. The total for staff as well as contractors will be

$29,604.

Facilities and Equipment will be the largest portion of the budget and the part that is required for

the first purchase. Facilities also include the cost of property prep, including parking and

water/sewer tap. As Hands-On is a Makers location (a place that promotes learning STEAM) and

as such is expecting to use alternative power sources, such as solar. Equipment includes the

15
PROPOSAL: Hands-On

purchases required for the children to start projects in the park. The total costs of all Facilities and

Equipment are approximately $34,302.

Benefits

The park is expected to take donations from families as entrance fees. These fees will be

negligible as we are not looking to turn away those that are not financially capable of paying

the fee. As a nonprofit seeking grant money, we are aware that there will be little to no financial

gain to the park but are looking to pay any extra overheads through smaller donations.

In the budget, the overhead costs that are included finance Hands-On to run for a full year with

staff working weekends only. This will allow children the ability to experience a type of play that

they would possibly otherwise not experience and gain knowledge that will help them for a

lifetime. The hope is that through this year others will be attracted and willing to help fund for the

next year.

To mitigate some of the expenses we are looking to be as “off-grid” as possible for the first year.

This includes using solar for electricity needs and a portable bathroom facility. An added benefit

of purchasing the land as opposed to renting is that for a similar monthly payment the property

will gain in equity. One more possibility for extra financial support would be allowing parents to

book the location for birthday parties.

The greatest benefit is the experience that the children of the Willamette Valley will be providing

the same opportunities that one would find in a city like New York. To be able to learn and

expand their knowledge of the world and experience failure and success. To give the children the

ability to grow their grit and determination, taking risks along the way. To gain valuable

experience to help them as they reach adulthood. And to believe that anything is possible if they

try hard enough.

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PROPOSAL: Hands-On

Conclusion

Hands-On wants to be able to be able to tell these future mechanics, painters, engineers,

carpenters, artists, and scientists that if they try hard enough; even through their own personal

failure; they can achieve greatness and pride in what they create. It is truly the “American

Dream” and Hands-On looks forward to working with you to provide it to them. Please feel free

to contact us with any questions or concerns and thank you in advance for your time and

consideration.

Regards,
Andrea Ausmus

Hands-On Manager & Advocate

amausmus@asu.com

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PROPOSAL: Hands-On

References

Botnik, V. (2016, December 05). How 'Helicopter Parenting' May Be Helping Your Kids. Retrieved from

https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/how-helicopter-parenting-may-be-helping-your-kids-

1207164

Duckworth, A. (2017). Grit. Random House UK.

Editors for the Indiana University's Newsroom. (2007, January 4). "Helicopter parents" stir up anxiety,

depression. Retrieved from http://newsinfo.iu.edu/web/page/normal/6073.html

Editors for the American Red Cross. (n.d.). Red Cross Training | Take a Class. Retrieved January 25, 2019,

from https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class

Editors for Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Dictionary by Merriam-Webster: America's most-trusted online

dictionary. Retrieved from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/

Hall, E. D., Ph.D. (2017, September 26). Why Do People Helicopter Parent? Retrieved from

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/conscious-communication/201709/why-do-people-

helicopter-parent

Luna, K. (2018, June 18). Helicopter Parenting May Negatively Affect Children's Emotional Well-Being,

Behavior. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2018/06/helicopter-

parenting.aspx

Lythcott-Haims, J. (2015, July 09). The four cultural shifts that led to the rise of the helicopter parent.

Retrieved from https://www.businessinsider.com/the-rise-of-the-helicopter-parent-2015-7

Mercier, J. (2018, April 16). Adventure Playground on Gov. Island Debuts 2018 Schedule and Name.

Retrieved from https://mommypoppins.com/new-york-city-kids/parks-playgrounds/the-

adventure-playground-on-governors-island-gets-a-new-name

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PROPOSAL: Hands-On

Perry, N. B., Dollar, J. M., Calkins, S. D., Keane, S. P., & Shanahan, L. (2018). Childhood self-regulation as

a mechanism through which early overcontrolling parenting is associated with adjustment in

preadolescence. Developmental Psychology,54(8), 1542-1554. doi:10.1037/dev0000536

Photographer for govisland.com. (2018, April 8). [Photograph of play:groundNYC's 'the Yard']. Retrieved

from https://govisland.com/things-to-do/activities/2018-playgroundnycs-yard

Prichep, D. (2018, October 01). To Raise Confident, Independent Kids, Some Parents Are Trying To 'Let

Grow'. Retrieved from https://www.opb.org/news/article/npr-to-raise-confident-independent-

kids-some-parents-are-trying-to-let-grow/https://play-ground.nyc/about

Universal Lines Insurance Services. (2013, April 8). Playground Business Insurance. Retrieved from

https://www.businessinsuranceusa.com/children-playground-insurance

Young, J. L., Ph.D. (2017, January 25). The Effects of 'Helicopter Parenting'. Retrieved from

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/when-your-adult-child-breaks-your-

heart/201701/the-effects-helicopter-parenting

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PROPOSAL: Hands-On

Appendix: Proposed Budget Worksheet

Proposed Budget Worksheet

1. Management Salary Time Percentage Total Cost
Project Manager
Andrea - assumed $55,000.00 100% $55,000.00
Consultants/Extra Personnel Costs
Construction Manager - glassdoor $87,000.00 10% $8,700.00
Realtor -glassdoor $2,691.00
Total Management Costs $66,391.00

2. Labor Hours Cost/hour Total Cost

Construction Laborer - glassdoor 60 $ 15.00 $900.00

Playmaker 1 - glassdoor 624 $ 15.00 $9,360.00

Playmaker 2 - glassdoor 624 $ 15.00 $9,360.00
Playmaker 3 - glassdoor 624 $ 15.00 $9,360.00

Benefits Cost per Trainee No. of Trainees Total Cost

Job Training - Online Classes
a. First Aid - Red Cross $115.00 3 $345.00
b. OSHA Training - Red Cross $174.00 3 $522.00
c. Makerspace Training - $79.00 3 $237.00
d. Behavior Management $70.00 3 $210.00
e. Child Protection 101 $70.00 3 $210.00
Total Labor Expenses $29,604.00

3. Facilities and Equipment Notes Total Cost

Facilities
a. Property Purchase (15% down) $299,000.00 15% $44,850.00
> Property Closing Costs $10,400.00
> Year of Monthly Payments $1,202.00 12 $14,424.00
b. Property Prep
> Water/Sewer Tap Cost Helper $4,000.00
> Gravel Parking Pad includes delivery Cost Helper $3,500.00
e. Insurance general liability average estimate $1,000.00
Equipment
a. Computer System Best Buy - HP ProBook x360 $312.55
b. Tools amazon $200.00
c. Tool Shed Home Depot $270.00
d. Table/Chair (for check in) $160.00
e. Bathroom Facilities $1,800.00
f. Solar Power Station $460.00
Total Facilities and Equipment Costs $81,376.55

4. Communications and Advertising

Communications
a. Wireless Hotspot Best Buy -Ellipses Jetpack - Verizon $50.00
b. Prepaid Minutes Best Buy $75.00
c. Flyers Vistaprint $100.00
d. Webpage Average cost $2,000.00
Total Communications and Advertising Costs $2,225.00
Total Budget $179,596.55

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PROPOSAL: Hands-On

Appendix: Qualifications

Afterschool Childcare

• Elementary-aged children

• North Plains Elementary after-school care

• Child aged 6 months – 10 years

• Self-employed – 5 years

Newberg Indoor Park

• President

• Co-op indoor play for ages 0-5

• Non-profit

• Planned activities and meetings for the members of the park.

• Communicated for any public needs (advertising, fundraising, and public relations)

Yamhill-Carlton Elementary Parent-Teacher Organization

• Treasurer – 1 year

• President – 1 year

• Committee Chair – STEM, Carnival, and Walkathon

o STEM Co-Chair

o worked to promote STEM throughout the elementary school

o including a one-week STEM Fair promotional activity to increase school interest

o led hands-on STEM experiments for each class

▪ Forensic Science

▪ Computer/Robotic Science

▪ Kitchen Science

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PROPOSAL: Hands-On

Gaston SDA Vacation Bible School

• Leader – 3 years

• Volunteer – 18 years

• As VBS leader I planned week-long events for children aged 3 – 12

I was also responsible for:

• Budgeting and purchasing

• Prop making and design

• Gathering volunteers

• Scheduling work bees and practices

• Prepping teen volunteers

Similar projects
• Child-centric non-profits

o Acting treasurer for PTO and understood and managed finances for Newberg

Indoor Park

• STEM Committee

o Focused on promoting STEM to ages 5 – 10.

o Managed age expectations

o Trained parents on STEM

o Taught K-4 students the scientific method using real-world examples (kitchen,

robotics/computer, forensics)

• Parent for 14 years

o 3 children

o Use “free-range” parenting methods

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PROPOSAL: Hands-On

o Encourage my children to work through mistakes

o Encourage making a mess, building, and design

Knowledge and Proficiency

• Skill Training • Graphics Design

• First Aid • Art and Drawing

• Childcare • Basic Building Skill

• Finance and Budgeting

References
John Horne

o Principal at Yamhill-Carlton Elementary at the time that I participated

Kathy Parish

o Previous VBS leader at Gaston SDA

Dalon Gage

o Worked with me directly with PTO

Jodi Pellegrino

o Co-chair STEM Committee worked with me on PTO

23