The Focus Forward Award was established to honor local organizations who positively impact York and its surrounding communities through their benevolent endeavors. These organizations have demonstrated that community-based approaches to global issues can institute long-lasting benefits.
Last year, my students completed two projects that revolved around the idea of connecting the local to the global. (Check out PANcentral and PANc Story and Film for more info on the related projects.) In both projects, students envisioned the future by "forecasting" the current social and political trends and determining what their issue might look like in 15 years. This semester, students were asked to research a global issues and analyze its development since 1964 (the past 50 years). Students selected topics ranging from Ebola to Disability Rights, but they were truly interested in their subject.
In phase 2 of the project, students were asked to work with partner in determine how their topic - or family of topics - manifested themselves in local issues. They were asked to illustrate their connection with an infographic.. The example/group below maintained that obesity was a 1st World epidemic that needed addressed on the same scale as infectious diseases in lesser developed countries. They also needed to devise a way to improve the situation based on research.
In phase 2 of the project, students were asked to work with partner in determine how their topic - or family of topics - manifested themselves in local issues. They were asked to illustrate their connection with an infographic.. The example/group below maintained that obesity was a 1st World epidemic that needed addressed on the same scale as infectious diseases in lesser developed countries. They also needed to devise a way to improve the situation based on research.
For the final phase of the project, I wanted students to realize that people in our hometown were confronting real issues that directly represent many of the global issues facing other parts of the world. Students were deemed with the responsibility to create an award, determine the criteria for selecting organizations, and talk with local non-profit organizers to create a pool of potential honorees.
Nominated by the students, the honorees were chosen based on their community outreach, dynamic approach, and connection to issues larger than our community. These organizations strengthen York by encouraging others to take action.
***....As the project develops, more information at the process will be added....***
The design
Students will be working with Mr. Grandi, a CYHS art teacher, and his students to create an award that is both representative of Focus Forward and the goals held by each organization. The process involved a great deal of research in to various aspect of awards design - everything from Italian Futurism to 1930s car designs. A lot of ideas were tossed around, including an interconnecting puzzle, cupped hands around a heart or globe, and more abstract ideas.
The final design for the Focus Forward award represents a shape similar to a tornado. It symbolizes how the actions and ideas from these organizations have narrow focuses at the beginning, but spiral into something bigger as they begin to make a greater impact in the community. Organizations like Leg Up Farm and Arts in the Park have a direct and visible impact on York while organizations like the York CPC and York Crime Stoppers have a more secretive impact that builds the community up. One of the main reasons these organizations are receiving this award is that they have not gotten that much recognition, but they have had a giant impact on the community and the world (most indirectly).