Project "Bear Pride" - Protecting Florida's Black Bears

School:: Palmetto Ridge High
Subject:: Other
Teacher:: BOB Scallan
Students Impacted:: 450
Grade:: 9-12
Date:: August 18, 2021

Investor

Thank you to the following investor for funding this grant.

FL License For Learning License Plate Fund - $1,227.32

Impact to My Classroom

# of Students Impacted: 223

The Bear Pride project took on the new name of "Bears Across Collier" once it began to grow. And grow it did - far beyond what I ever expected when I originally wrote the grant. When I reached out to the Florida Wildlife Federation to inquire if they would be interested in accepting our donation, I met an incredible person who was excited and honored to be a part of our project.

A call went out to local artist, and the response was tremendous. Our construction students set out to build the wooden statues - which was a huge task. National honor society students began coordinating with artists to determine which bear (standing upright or on all fours) statue they wanted. The statues were delivered to the artist in January, and NHS students particiapted in that day's activities.

In April, the finished bears were auctioned off on line and then in person in Cambier Park where NHS students once again assisted. Our orchestra performed along with several individual performers. Our culinary students prepared refreshments that were given out to patrons.

The bear project brought students, a nonprofit, local professional artists, and local businesses together. It taught students how to organize, communicate, research, plan, and implement. $8581 were raised through the auction and was donated to the Florida Wildlife Federation to be used on bear conservation efforts in SW Florida.

We are already planning for Panthers Across Collier to be held next year. We look forward to having Champions for Learning be a part of that event too.

grant photo

Original Grant Overview

Goal

1 - Raise funds to be donated to either the Florida Wildlife Federation..
2 - Raise an awareness of the plight and hardships that the Florida black bears face due to encroaching development.
3 - Create a collaborative project that will involve our National Honor Society students, construction academy students, art students, local artist, and the community.
4 - Teach students the value of philanthropy.

What will be done with my students

This project is a bit different from the typical classroom grant requests. This is a grant request for an organization - National Junior Honor Society (9th and 10th graders).
Situated on the edge of the Everglades, Palmetto Ridge High School sits in the middle of a Florida black bear habitat. In addition, our school proudly adorns the bear as our beloved mascot. Funds will be used to purchase wood to make 2 different styles of bear statues - 10 of each. (See attached photo(s)). The construction students will cut out the pieces of wood for the statues. National Honor Society students will assemble them. Then art students and local artists will paint them in different and unique ways - much like the gators, manatees, sea turtles, mermaids, and sea horses
art projects seen in front of SW Florida businesses. Once painted, the bear statues will be placed in businesses who choose to collaborate in the project. This will give the visibility to the public. A sign will accompany each stature explaining a date and time when they will be auctioned off. Before auctioning, students, parents, community members, and businesses will be invited to the event to bid on the 20 bears. Parents and business owners can proudly display the attractive bears in their homes or businesses. Funds collected will be donated to the Florida Wildlife Federation. The Collier County regional office of the FWF has been approached about this project and are eager and excited to collaborate with us.
While this project is not a traditional classroom project, it will incorporate the expertise from the construction and art students, a local state agency, local artisans, and the community.
"Welcome" bear stands 31" tall. "Bench" bears stands 17" tall x 33" long.

Benefits to my students

Parents and teachers offer students today an over abundance of overprotectiveness. Coupled with the new technologies (social media) you get a recipe for a "me, me, me" behavior. Everything in the universe has to focus or revolve around them. This project will work to reverse that mindset by teaching students to give of themselves by donating collected funds to a tremendously worthwhile cause - preserving Florida's black bears. Studies show that generosity has the potential to promote and support a healthy lifestyle, reduce stress and negative emotions, and even do things as incredible as increasing longevity.
"Bear Pride". It's our mantra; it's our culture; it's how we do things here at Palmetto Ridge. This project is a collaborative opportunity for students from different areas of the school to work together to give back to the community that is so generous to us.

Budget Narrative

Funds will be spent on lumber to make the bear statues and the paint that will be provided to the artists painting them.
Some funds will be used for supplemental items to complete the statues. There will be no other expenses.

Items

#	Item	Cost
1	2" x 12" x 8' boards (20)	$322.40
2	2" screws (2lbs.)	$17.96
3	wood glue (1 gal.)	$16.98
4	crafting eyes (1 bag)	$19.99
5	Paint (40 gallons, assorted colors)	$800.00
6	quart cups with lids (500 count)	$49.99
	Total:	$1,227.32

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