As part of the Fourth Grade "Capstone Project" groups of students toured different sites around Richmond to help them formulate their own ideas for the question "How can technology be used to improve Collegiate by 2026?" (the year they graduate) The group I accompanied was learning about the people at Collegiate who take care of the facilities. Other students have been exploring the admissions department, athletics, academics, the development office and other departments vital in the life of our school. Today my group of ten boys and girls and their teacher went behind the scenes at the University of Richmond to see how technology has changed the way they operate the systems at a major university. We saw electricians, engineers, architects, mechanics, HVAC specialists and even a flock of goats that were keeping the grass under control!
Other groups went to the Richmond Ballet, the new Contemporary art museum, a marketing company and several innovative design groups. The students came back with lots of observations and insights which they will then share with their classmates returning from other sites. It will be interesting to see what proposals the various groups come up with.
