WHS Senior Earns Eagle Award
Project Explore focuses on Cognitive Development, Social Development and Language Development. Ryan decided to tackle the Social and Cognitive Development skills for his project. There are two outdoor play areas that the children use while they are outside. One is the playground and the other is a newly paved blacktop.
Ryan planned and discussed his proposed project with Project Explore’s director, Lisa Smacchia. Through this process, he shared his idea of building buddy benches for the two play areas and painting games on the blacktop. Often children feel lonely and left out. Ryan knew building the benches would combat both loneliness and bullying (Social Development Skills). He ultimately designed and built 4 benches from scratch. To tackle the Cognitive Development Skills, Ryan decided to paint 3 different games on the blacktop: two copy-cat games, two hopscotch games, and one four square game (box ball). These games involve gross motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and concentration. Ms. Smacchia said “The children use the benches daily and it has helped many of the students feel happy and less lonely. As for the blacktop games, the kids cannot get enough of them. Often there are lines to play next!”
Ryan has had such a wonderful experience being a scout and would highly recommend students of all ages to give it a try. He will graduate from WHS next week and attend Rochester Institute of Technology majoring in Game Design and Development.