Mii Thoughts - by Naomieh

My experience with the bits program was very exciting and new to me. I have never joined a summer activity like this. At first I was very shy and quiet then later on in the program I got used to the program and everyone. We also played games such as a scavenger hunts where we had to search for markers around the Temple campus and write down our group name(Co-Exist) on the sidewalks with chalk (don't worry it was raining that day).It was a really hot day but we still had fun. The next week we traveled around philadelphia and went to historical parts of Philadelphia and took pictures. This was also new to me because i have never been to that part of Philadelphia.Almost towards to the end we went to the Wissahickon Valley Park and explored it and took pictures of the park.We also did sketch up projects and presentations to try to help make the park better for people.

Barbie loves BITS <3

I would say that my experience at this program was a fun one. I met new people, learned about, (and how to use) many of the programs google has to offer, and enjoyed nature during walks through Wissahickon Valley Park. I had fun because I got to do things I like to do in my spare time. The best part is... I GET PAID to do this stuff! I love working in my group Co-Exist. My co-workers and boss are all really cool people, and i know im going to miss them when the program concludes this week. Co-Exist forever! :)

My Experience With the BITS program

I started the BITS program on July 6, it was odd at first I didn't like it because I thought it was just like school. After I would as i started too develop a relationship with my coworkers and boss I started to like it more and more it was better than just working by myself because you could bounce ideas of your group members and we had a special type of comraderie that helped us complete tasks more efiicently and quicker. The second week of the program we went to the Ben Parkway it was very hot and a long walk it needless to say I didn't enjoy but it did help me to see things it a different view and taught me endurace. After that we went to Wissahickon Park four more times and each time was different this was truly an experience i'll never forget I enjoyed going through this program with my peers and overall I thought it was a fun unique experience/program.


By: Laquan Dunbar AKA Guitar Hero/Kevin

Jerimyjah Batts jmals (thoughts on bits)

If I would change the program I would change the distance that we would walk everyday. We had to walk so far farther than last year I don't understand how we did it. Some of it was boring and the other days were good. We have learned about Google sketch-up, Google earth, and different skills that we can use in our architectural jobs. When we went Wissahickon it was so hot outside and it rained and was so wet walking around the slippery steps. What I would change is have a tour guide to help us around the park.and also to get temporary memberships to the
Wissahickon. you already know about me like that I play basketball and go to COMM.TECH.HS(John F. Bartram Communications Technology Highschool). I have a little bit more ideas on how to make this program better like what everybody is going to ask like "Where are the trashcans " ,"How come whe can't go anywhere"Where are the signs and the historical markers" etc. I and everybody in my group have different ideas on how to make this program better like having less goofy kids.That is my opinion on this program and the changes the changes that we should make. If our mentors and our supervisors take this serious the BiTS program can have more people and better help and work for us to do for our future. But just in case you think I'm disrespestful I'm not and I am cool with my co-workers and some I associate with a little but not after the program.

Quanman's Thoughts on the program

Well, my time in the program has been okay. This has been a great experience for me. I met new people who I get along with even though 3 certain people usually stalk me. I got to explore a college campus even though it's not the first one I explored. There were good and bad times but it's been ok. Honestly, this program seems more like school which we're vacationing from. Aside from that it's been great hiking, bloging, and using google Sketchup and Earth. Overall It's been ok.

_Quanman

Natasha Connor

My personal experience with this group was very interesting. I learned new things about my city, and made new friends that is in my local areas. I learned different things that Google has to offer then just website information but also earth,sketch-up and much more. I FINALLY learned what the whole meaning of blogging is all about also. I really enjoyed my 6 weeks here even though I complained about some of the things. Like walking through the Wissahickon Valley Park, being with thee "nature" because I guarantee I would have never did it on my own. I would have never walked the whole parkway and seen most of the art that this city has stories behind. Also, I was able to see how the Temples college setting is set out, actually being apart of it for 6weeks sitting in the classrooms and walking the halls. It made me think beyond what the school has to offer and more of what I can offer to whichever school I may attend next summer semester. I'm going to miss Aadil );

Daneisha's Thoughts

I believe my experience in the bits program was okay. I wouldn't say it was the worst and I wouldn't say it was the best either. It was in between. I enjoyed meeting new people, getting paid, and working with Google sketch-up, power point, and the end of the week ice-cream party. Although I had a lot of good times, there were also times I didn't enjoy during the program like the walks in the park. I disliked these because there were too many bugs and me myself personally am not really an outside type of person so I really found that disgusting. Another thing about the program I did not like is the way things were sometimes like, having to go all the way to the park and come all the way home and not being able to go home from the park. But this is a job and I eventually got over it. Although I didn't enjoy it sometimes, we had more good times than bad so if the good outweighs the bad than the job was worth the chance.

This week we did power point and Google sketch-up,and we started working on our final project.We had a visitor come and talk to us about recycling, handicaps, dimensions and how they were dividing people he also discussed how the park was bias towards people with more money and how it separated people from one another. He also reiterated how disabled people where made fun of in the past mentally disabled people would have their head shaved and be put on exhibits as "side -show freaks." (We got the picture from Google images. http://www.treehugger.com/painted-recycling-truck-1.jpg)

Here is an image of the new "sexy" recycling trucks designed to make recycling more friendly and cool.

Wissahickon Trails

Yesterday we went back to the Wissahickon. We all agreed that it was not the BEST experience, but we got a good understanding of the disadvantages of the trail route we took. It was very steep, rocky, muddy and unpaved. It was difficult to hike, and it lacked sufficient signage. We saw how a user of the park could easily get lost there. Here are some suggestions that we think would improve the trail:

- Trashcans/ Recycling bins along the trail

- Signs (trail markers, caution & wildlife info)

- Benches for resting

- Hand rails (for difficult areas)

- Maps of the trail along the trail

We visited several landmarks including Hermit Cave. It was a small hutch that a small religious group (cult) hid in to protect themselves from the end of the world. The hutch was small, dark, and smelled really bad. One notable feature in the cave was that there was a white cross on the back wall. Another landmark we saw was the 'I wish I was Fishin'/Flowers memorial. We think it was a memorial for someone who died in the park. Lover's Leap was another place we went to. It was basically a cliff overlooking Lincoln Drive. We passed by a golf course too. That's where we took a rest, and watched people play for a little while.

**Photo courtesy of ushistory.org

Katrina Tempest in Crecent City

The following link will direct you to a game that Laura showed us on Wednesday that went along with the movie about Hurricane Katrina. Enjoy :)
http://tempestincrescentcity.ning.com/game

Wissahickon Valley

For About 1 1/2 centuries, the Wissahickon Valley has been considered a hot spot. It offers tourists the only red covered bridge in a major city. By wandering upper trails you see the Indian And Toleration statues in the craggy gorge walls. Valley Green Inn since the 1850s has been a place to dine. Wissahickon is known for having the city's first drinking fountain. Wisshickon Valley has also, for years, harbored beautiful scenery that tourists are interested in seeing.

Courtesy of http://www.fairmountpark.org/WissahickonValleyPark.asp

-Quan man

Trail markers and Erosion at Fairmount park.

While we were at Fairmount Park, there were many trail makers around. We also saw many areas along the creek that suffered from erosion. This erosion was caused by floods that damaged the soil over time. Most of the trail markers around the park, that we saw, pertained to pedestrians or hikers on foot. They also had help markers if you got lost. These would allow you to call park officials and they would know where you were according to the number on the marker. The signage and trail makers in the park were good but we think that more signs could be added and placed in better areas.

By M.B

Wissahickon Valley Park

After taking part in the walk through half of Wissahickon Valley Park, I have been opened to a different environment to my city I call my own. After walking through the park, I had many questions and concerns that I took into my own hands to do research on, some that maybe even people that are reading this particular blog will be interested in. Did you ever think what goes on in these special parks? Why they are recognized and labeled "Special" over many other Parkways? Well here goes some insight onto what Wissahickon Valley Means to Philadelphia.
Wissahickon Valley park is one of the largest city parks in the world, that stretches 1,800 acres which is a part of Philadelphia's 9,200-acre Fairmount Park, alone the Wissahickon Creek runs through its entire seven-mile lengh. The park extends from Chestnut Hill in the north to Manayunk in the southwest. The friends of the Wissahickon, FOW, which is a non-profit organization, has been giving back, dedicated to working and advocating for the park since 1924. Nevertheless, FOW is one of the oldest and largest of more than 80 Friends of Park groups in Philadelphia. They also conserve the forrest and creek, restore trails, and preserves the Park's historical structure for the Fairmount Park as well.

After learning new things more about the Wissahickon Valley Park makes me appreciate it more when I drive by it, knowing the information I know.

-Natasha Connor

Vegetation

During the time I spent in the park yesterday, I noticed that men were working in the park removing plants growing alongside the river. They said it was poison ivy and they had to take it out because it was taking over the land and kept the other plants from growing. The men also said that having the plants there was hazardous to pedestrians because people could hide in the vegetation and jump out and mug people.
-Barbie <3

This Week:

Monday: We listened to a woman who talked about the advantages of Twitter. She explained how to use it and how to get people to follow us, and how to draw attention to our blog. We also got to mess around with google sketch up. We made models of either our bedroom, dream bedroom, or dream house. It was fun, and we'd like to work with sketch up again.
Tuesday: We took the R6 to Wissahickon and Kevin took us on a tour through the park. We walked up the trail, while Kevin explained how the park was eroding.
Wednesday: We watched a movie called When the Levees Broke. It was about hurricane Katrina and its devastating effects on the city of New Orleans. It was sad to see how so many people died because the government hadn't taken immediate action to help the victims of the "natural" disaster.
Thursday: We took another trip to the Wissahickon Park and walked down Kelly Drive. Dr. Masucci, Sadie and Lily toured us through the park pointing out several things that could be improved to make the park be more accessible to the parks users.

Ben Franklin Experience

In this blog each individual will express a little bit of information and keys that they learned while walking the parkway:

Laquan Dunbar: "I personally learned how to look at different statues in a different light and how to learn how symbolic they are."

Daneisha Williams: "I learned people use the parks in many different ways, some in which to harm or help the environment."

Bianca Rios: "I learned that the city has many historically enriching monuments that to contribute to our wonderful city's beauty."

Shaquan Perry: "I learned how important the landmarks and statues live beyond the history that we know."

Marcel Bowens: "My personal experience at the park was tiring, hot, but at the same time I learned that sculptures are really important to Philadelphia's history."

Naomieh Jovin: "During in our walk through the parkway I learned new things about the history of Philadelphia such as, how the parkway has changed and the civils rights movements."

Natasha Connor: "As I walked through the parkway, I realized how structured the surrounding were and how the city is made up of various organized green and building spaces."

This is a map of the route we took: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=3022308

Ben Franklin Parkway Trip

Google Sketch-Up

On Tuesday, to start off the day we played the category game as well as the question game. Then, shortly afterward we walked over to the Anderson Building where we were exposed to the Google sketch up program; we learned that you can make 3d models and figures of houses and cars...etc. Also, we came to our individual computer lab to try out the Google program ourselves. Each individual started off creating indifferent masterpieces as well as adding their own creativity. Following, Ms.Laura explained to each group about the next assignment,Walking to the Ben Franklin Parkway. We are going to be interacting as well as checking out each historical landmarks as well as taking photos of them to add to our presentation and next blog.

Historical Landmarks

Monday, we started off by playing games we played a game called questions where you ask someone called a question and you cant answer it and you must say another question. Then we played a game where Aadill made these signs out of pen. We had to research these four historical landmarks they where the OIC, Jesse Fausset, Church of the Advocate and the universal negro improvement association. Then we went to all of those places and then recorded our personal opinions about the places in journals.

An Inconvenient Truth :'(

On Friday we watched the movie, An Inconvenient Truth. It was about how global warming is affecting the earth. We learned that many of Earth's landforms are being destroyed. The polar ice caps are melting, glaciers are disappearing and lakes are drying up. The movie was narrated by Al Gore. IT WAS SO LONGGGGGGG!!!!

Community and Social Media

This is a video that we watched about social media. It tells a story about how social media expands a small community by sharing different ideas, tips and comments on how to make different flavors of ice cream better.

What We've Done

The first day, Monday July 6, 2009, we introduced ourselves with an ice breaker which involved creating toys from scratch. We also played Two Truths and a Lie. We had lunch at the "Sexy" Green Truck and we loved it! The following day, we were introduced to Google Maps and played a trivia game. After that, we went on a scavenger hunt throughout Temple University's campus. Here we are today creating gmail accounts, our blog, and posting our very first entry. We're excited for the coming weeks so keep coming back to see us!