Program Overview
            The Dunes Center partnered with the United Way of Santa Barbara in 2011 to implement United Way’s well regarded Fun In The Sun program.  The 2011 program was delivered between June 20 and July 15, 2011 at the Dunes Center Visitor’s Center in Guadalupe, CA.  Program elements included: lessons discussing the chemistry of water quality and soil quality, and various field trips to discover options of treating wastewater, renewable energy, estuary habitats and water recreation.
            This summer the Fun In The Sun Summer of Service Learning program focused their service learning project on water quality and sharing the information of local water sources with the Guadalupe Community.  The creation of a brochure with the results of testing pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), total dissolved solids (TDS), nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P) levels and turbidity would attempt to show the cleanliness of the water samples based on these levels.
            The FITS video project was a new addition to the FITS program.  Students worked with Sergio Galindo of La Cumbre Junior High School for several hours on Tuesday afternoons.  Sergio taught them the basics of story boarding, production, editing and post production.  Early closure of the program at week four was due to low enrollment.

Service Learning Project: Guadalupe
            The main purpose of the collection of this data was to present it to concerned members of the community of Guadalupe and local environmental groups. The goal of the Guadalupe Service Learning project was to collect local water samples and test for pH, dissolved oxygen, total dissolve solids, nitrates, phosphates and turbidity.  With the results, we were able to hypothesize what types of pollutants are in the water and what the possible sources of the pollutants might be. The students also counted the types of animals spotted near the collection site.
            The collection sites were Poly Canyon Creek (Natural Creek), Jim May Park Lake (Man-made Lake, urban water overflow area), Bass Lake (Recreational Lake), and Oso Flaco Lake Road farm ditch. Different amounts and types of animals were found at each site. At each site pictures were taken to document the collection site. In the final weeks of the program, we planned to test different soil samples for nutrients. We hoped to make a connection between soil and water quality, but due to time constraints we unable to complete this part of the service learning project goal. All the data was recorded and compared to show different pollutants at different sites.
            In order to present our results to the public, the students compiled the data into a brochure that was given to our partners. The brochure includes their results, summary of their project and possible changes that would help the local water quality. The students sent brochures to Salmon Enhancement, the Wastewater Treatment plant, and the City of Guadalupe. Brochures are also available in the Dunes Center’s Visitor’s Center so visitors would be able to read about their project and research.

Summary
            Overall the program was a success for the students involved.  The Dunes Center is very pleased to have a record amount of service learning hours for the participants.  Additionally, the field trips were both interesting and educational.  With the small group, the program leader was able to meet the needs of the participants and establish a lasting and meaningful relationship between each participant and the program leader.
            The service learning brochure was completed at the end of the fourth week and was distributed to the public.  Service learning hours were totaled at 83.5 and 101 hours for our two individuals, which is 95% and 91% of the total time in the program respectively.  Ongoing support for completion of the video is in progress with expected completion of August 5.

The Program Overview can also be viewed at youtube.com

The Service Learning Project video can also be viewed at you tube.

Program Links

Program Summary Photos
Service Learning Brochure

Fun In The Sun Summer of Service program is a unique opportunity for local 6th - 9th grade students in the Guadalupe and Santa Maria Valley to partake in a rich experience of science, technology, math, and field trips. Through hands on science lab experiments and the creation of a service learning project, students will be able to inprove their community and learn what it takes to "take action" through their local government.

2011 FITS Group learning about Acids and Bases.

Week One Field Trip: Poly Canyon (Cal Poly), Hike in Poly Canyon and the PG&E Energy Education Center

Week Two Field Trip: Wastewater Treatment Plant in SLO and Jim May Park

Week Three Field Trip: The Ravine Water park in Paso Robles (No Pictures Available)

Week Four Field Trip: Morro Bay Estuary Education Museum, Morro Bay Aquarium and Sub Sea Tours

For more information please contact us:

The Dunes Center
1055 Guadalupe St.
Guadalupe, CA 93434
Phone: 805.343.2455
Fax: 805.343.0442