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Educational Opportunities and Community Importance of the PLC Hall 133 <br />March 7, 2018 <br />The addition of the Hall 133 land provides incredible opportunities to support learning for <br />Greeley and the surrounding area. After touring the land with PLC Director Ray Tschillard I can <br />see the versatility of options. Most importantly, the land will allow learners of all ages to explore <br />their interests and investigate new doors of opportunity. Whatever direction is taken with the <br />land, it is widely believed that our youngest scientists need to play a leading role to launch their <br />futures and solidify the legacy of the PLC vision and mission. Early thoughts include learning <br />opportunities ranging from those beginning their educational path to professionals. <br />One of the greatest challenges Colorado faces each day is balancing the use of our great <br />resources. The environments that create nearly unlimited recreational experiences are also <br />locations of valuable natural resources that fuel our industries. The Hall 133 land is a prime <br />example of this. A history of the land will offer to all learners the portal to see the <br />transformations this land has undergone and those that will continue. Working closely with <br />reclamation and preservation agencies will be a necessary and important part of the process. <br />What is critical is that each step of design and implementation will include learning <br />opportunities for elementary, secondary, and post -secondary students to help design, problem <br />solve, and implement when safely possible. What is missing in many educational practices today <br />are the opportunities for students to see themselves as a critical participant of the greater <br />community. Here at the Hall 133 is our chance to change this. <br />The size of the Hall 133 land provides the opportunity of an up close and personal study of joint <br />land use between agriculture and wildlife. The northern sections of the land could serve as fields <br />for students to conduct soil and crop studies. FFA programs working with university teams could <br />use this land to conduct Ag Science studies. These could include focusing on agricultural <br />practices that support neighboring preserves like wetlands. Input from Weld agriculture <br />teachers, University Ag Science programs, and Conservation agencies is necessary to build the <br />vision of learning that the land can serve. <br />Most importantly the Hall 133 land must reflect the outdoor laboratory and vision of learning of <br />the PLC community. With careful design and planning, the location will become the destination <br />spot of Northern Colorado for the following: <br />1. Elementary students to conduct research of wildlife and plant populations as the land <br />transforms over time, geomorphological changes of the river, water quality of ponds, <br />and health of ecosystems. Results of these studies should lead decisions of future <br />developments of the grounds. These studies will provide new learning each year to <br />help create an interest in contents and growth of vocabulary so desperately needed <br />with our early learners of the county. <br />